Looking for some easy, last-minute recipes for Halloween? Never fear, HERSHEY is here!
A new initiative by the World Food Championships (WFC), HERSHEY and Walmart has curated a new playlist of videos on YouTube that feature WFC’s award-winning chefs whipping up simple, spooky sweets.
“From inspiration to affordable and easily accessible ingredients, these new recipe ideas will take the fear out of family cooking this Halloween,” says WFC President Mike McCloud. So what can you expect?
The new recipes include HERSHEY’S Halloween Crispy Treats, Cute and Creepy Halloween Spiders, and Pumpkin Bars with Milk Chocolate Glaze. You can expect a simple video with easy steps on the entire recipe. Anyone can access this free collection of videos by heading to the Walmart Chef’s Halloween Recipes YouTube playlist.
Jon Davis, GM/VP Walmart and Sam’s Club for HERSHEY’S shares that “Halloween is a season that offers a variety of different ways to celebrate, including making sweet treats and creepy desserts. We are excited to join forces with the Walmart Chefs to provide these fun and tasty recipe video tutorials.”
Every parent with school-aged kids has gone through the gamut of emotions when it comes to school in 2020. Hybrid, in-school, distance learning, Zoom classrooms… add in all the current travel restrictions and I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind to just sell everything and homeschool my kid from an RV.
While I’m not going to do exactly that, we are starting our year with distance learning. And since both my husband and I are working full-time remotely, we wondered: could we actually work and go to school, on the road? We’re a family of three, we’ve never vacationed in an RV together, and we wanted to find out. So, we booked a sweet ride on RVShare and hit the road for a fall adventure. Here’s what we discovered.
Keeping Connected
For our first time out there, I was nervous about trying to work successfully and connect for school from a more remote location or potentially even on the road. We opted to just do three days of school/work on the road and two weekend days. We booked directly on RVShare and were able to communicate directly with the owner to arrange pickup time and location. For the first part of our trip, we decided to stay somewhere a little less remote for the nights/days we knew we’d need a more reliable connection.
If you and your fam need access to Google Hangout or Zoom class meetings, make sure you have everything set up a few minutes earlier than usual. (It’s also a good idea to give your classroom teacher a heads-up in case there are connection issues.) I highly recommend you rent a WiFi hotspot, like this one. It works better and is way more reliable than using your phone.
Tip: If you get a device rental, activate it a day before and make sure it works before you even leave home. If there are any issues, you have a day to troubleshoot, well worth the extra money you spend for a day rental.
Use the Trip to Your Homeschool Advantage
We love fall and have tried to squeeze in fall day trips in the past few years, but this is typically such a busy time of year that it's hard to find the time to do a proper "epic fall colors road trip." Because of our remote work and learn situation, we were finally able to see some of the places on our bucket list and take in the gorgeous fall colors. Plus, it's a great time to travel because a lot of campsites are less crowded, and there's nothing like doing a Google Meet by the campfire.
History & Mystery
Traveling with kids is a great teaching tool. If you plan a few stops along the way, whether they are at quirky roadside attractions or important historical sites, you can turn a break into an important lesson. We stopped at the famous Paul Bunyan/Babe the Blue Ox statue which became the perfect way to discuss myths, legends and icons. (There are at least three states that claim Paul Bunyan as their own!). At the end of each day we took a little time to write in our journals.
Phy Ed
There are basically endless opportunities to do PE when you're camping. We used hikes as our PE every day, and made sure to track our steps at the end of each day to see who walked the most. I actually previewed the campsites online first to make sure that the places we were staying had ample hiking and walking opportunities from our site without having to pack up and drive. Plus, our RV was actually big enough that one of the mornings we did yoga inside!
Botany & Ecology
We planned stops at two different nature preserves, including a unique bog ecosystem, whose signage provided plenty of discussion points. Our son now knows exactly how carnivorous pitcher plants trap their prey, why bogs are fragile ecosystems, and what a Russula vomitus mushroom is (and why you should avoid it). We even saw a tree felled by beavers and one beaver in the pond building his home.
Math & Geography
We were hoping to purchase a pumpkin or two while on the road, and we lucked out when we happened upon a small town farmers market. We used this as a quick math lesson and tried to guess how much the pumpkin would weigh. I also had him calculate the total of our goods and see how much change we'd get back. We even all took turns trying to guess the cost of filling up the RV gas tank by multiplying the price per gallon times the number of gallons we thought the tank held. (We all guessed way under, but que sera sera).
You can also show your kids how to use a map. A real one, with the little lines that show you distance per inch, and latitude and longitude. Have them add up the total distances and compare it to the odometer.
Getting the Right Vehicle
We went big, and it was great! We rented a 31-foot Class C (the kind with the loft above the cab). It even had pop-outs that made a sizeable living area and was a newer model that handled really well (like a large van), but I will admit I was not that keen on backing it into sites or merging in traffic. For that reason, my husband became the primary driver, which worked well for our short little 5-day excursion but might not be feasible if you’re hauling your crew across country and need to take turns driving. My friend Sara @mightyandbright is currently on a two-week long road trip in a 25-feet motorhome with just her and her daughter, and she’s confident driving it herself, so size (and length) really does matter when you’re booking. RVShare has all kinds of vehicles, including tow-behind trailers, sprinter vans and larger motorhomes, so you can find something that fits your family’s size and budget.
A Few More #RVLife Tips & Tricks
I’m not going to list here everything we packed, nor will I give you my amazing recipe ideas for RV cooking (because I don’t have any). We brought a lot of ready-to-eat/easy-prep stuff and quite frankly, there’s a microwave in most RVs these days so I embraced it. (I don’t actually have a microwave at home, so it felt extra luxe). Here are a few things we did pack that you might not think of:
Anti-nausea medication. If you get carsick, you'll never be able to help your kiddo with their homework on the road without this. If they get carsick, well...you know the drill.
There’s a special kind of toilet paper for RV toilets. Your host will probably have some on-hand, but you may want to track down an extra roll or two if you have a big family.
Bring a little notebook to take notes as the RV owner is walking you through the basics. It will all make sense while they are showing you, but at 10 p.m. when you’re backing into a site you’ve never been to before, you are going to want a cheat-sheet of what to turn off before you plug in, etc.
You are probably going to have to deal with “the blackwater” at some point. Don’t panic. It’s not that hard, and we actually read this article before we did it, even though our host had walked us through. (Don’t know what the blackwater is? Mwah ah ah. You will.) But make sure you pack some disposable gloves for this job.
Bring your sense of humor! You will hit your head. At least once. (I hit mine three times, twice on the cupboard above the stove and once on the loft). The toaster set off the fire alarm (but hey, a toaster when camping is such a luxury!). It’s an intimate space, you are going to hear each other do pretty much everything. It’s all part of the family bonding.
Don’t forget a road map. A real, paper map or Road Atlas, just in case you need to find your way around when your phone GPS won’t connect. It’s one thing to go off-grid when you’re in a car, it’s another thing when you’re trying to navigate a 30+ foot vehicle. Plus, you can have your kids do some navigating and call it a geography lesson.
Book ahead as much as possible: unlike car camping you need to be sure that where you are going can accommodate the rental you have, by length. And while you’re at it, make sure at least one of the sites has a “sanitation station” for the blackwater or you’ll be googling it furiously one afternoon. (Actually, RVShare has a search for that, too!)
Can you live and work and do school from an RV successfully? I think the answer is yes. Our little experiment worked out nicely. And you’ll learn a bunch of cool stuff along the way, and not just by subject. Travel can show kids resilience, going with the flow and the positive effects of spontaneity. We can’t wait to do it again, this time maybe for longer, and we might even convince grandma to come along!
Historically, Juneteenth is the day that the final enslaved people in Texas were freed, years after the Emancipation Proclamation passed. In addition to Juneteenth’s historical origins, this day is not just about education, but also for celebrating Black culture. Here are a few events happening around the globe, including many you can participate in from home or while social distancing.
Whether you’re eager to take advantage of the country’s re-opening or still quarantining at home, these destinations have ample experiences to indulge in a little commemoration. We’ve rounded up a few events below:
If you’re interested in looking through an international lens at connections that bind black people across the African diaspora, Bermuda is an excellent place to start. From its colonization by the British to modern day, a similar story of Black experience that parallels the American story unfolded on the remote island. The National Museum of Bermuda is home to a Hall of History which vividly depicts the entire history of Bermuda across a 1000-foot mural that is now available to view online via a 360 degree virtual tour.
For more than 15 years, Rock Hill, SC has been commemorating Juneteenth with a festival highlighting the best local talent the state has to offer. Rather than let COVID-19 ruin the festivities, they’ve taken the event online with a great line-up of poetry, dance and more including their Poet Laureate Angelo Jeter.
Baltimore’s Dovecote Café is a cultural hub in the predominantly Black neighborhood, Reservoir Hill. The Black-owned business centers its community in everything from black art to music to a variety of events including their beloved Juneteenth Festival. Due to COVID-19 the café has been temporarily closed so Aisha and Cole decided to take one aspect of the festival, the Art Bazaar, virtual! On June 20th, they’ll be featuring art from black artists on their Instagram page for viewers to purchase. They’ll also be releasing a “freedom” playlist featuring a variety of black artists, and their favorite cookout recipes perfect for any Juneteenth celebration.
Celebrate with the Story Pirates with a very special Juneteenth edition of the Story Creation Zone, the live virtual improv show, featuring the first-ever all-Black company member show, moderated by veteran Story Pirate Khalia! The Story Creation Zone is interactive, which means kid viewers can suggest ideas and then see them brought to life on the spot by the Story Pirates in a hilarious, musical show.
In commemoration of Juneteenth 2020, OMCA will bring together a cross section of Oakland artists, educators, and activists to honor efforts made in the ongoing struggle for the liberation of Black people everywhere. Featuring: DJ Nina Sol, Amir Abdul-Shakur, Johwell St-Cilien, Fresh “Lev” White, Samara Atkins, Shane Evans, and Kev Choice.
Juneteenth is a time to celebrate, to gather as a family, to reflect on the past and look to the future. We invite you to engage in your history, learn where you came from, and discover (or share) ways to celebrate this holiday. On this day we are bringing the African American History and Culture Museum to you through presentations, stories, photographs, and recipes from the Sweet Home Café.
For only $10 per screen, learn about the history of Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, and stories of what Atlanta and other important African American communities were like post-Emancipation in our LIVE Juneteenth Virtual Tour. This is an approachable and engaging way to learn about some of America’s most forgotten history, including why barbecue is and always has been a celebration food. Tours are appropriate for children age 10+.
Our optional ATL Treat Box is a bit larger than usual because we are featuring two amazing treats from local African-American entrepreneurs. For $19.99, you’ll get the original AubSauce (a line of small batch, artisanal barbecue sauce), two Miss D’s Pralines, a strawberry lemonade recipe, ideas for different ways to use your barbecue sauce, a crossword activity to be completed during the virtual tour, and a watercolor postcard of the King Memorial. And, as always, all of our ATL Treat Boxes include free shipping in the continental United States.
Whether you’re a first-time mom or adding to an ever-expanding brood, raising kids is hard (like, really hard). Luckily, social media can be super helpful when it comes to finding your tribe. We looked through a ton of Facebook groups for every type of mom, every type of family, and every type of need and narrowed it down to our favorites below. Keep reading to find one that’s perfect for you.
Fussy Baby Support Group, 35K members
This group is perfect for moms feeling overwhelmed by fussy or colicky babies. They make sure moms know it’s a safe no-judgment zone where they can come with questions and get advice. But, they also recommend their members give advice from experience as well.
Exclusively Pumping, 31.5K members
Another descriptive group name, this group is intended for Exclusive Pumpers to share information and support.
The Mommy Grind, 37K members
This group was created to help new moms navigate the first few years of motherhood. They are also adamant about no solicitations, no contests, no giveaways, etc.
Car Seat Safety, 88.9K members
This group is great for new moms (and dads, of course) who have questions, concerns, and are looking to purchase a new car seat. This group aims to empower and educate their members, but a big goal is to help reduce child injury and death in the event of an accident.
Milky Mommas, 110K members
Breastfeeding is a lot more complicated than it looks. There are latching issues, mastitis (OUCH), nipple confusion and more. Milky Mamas is there to help.
Groups for the Daily Grind
Mom Squad, 35K members
Being a mom is rough. And kids do say the darnedest things. So of course, you need a place to vent, laugh, and bond. Mom Squad is a great place to ask for advice and question things, but keep in mind, that the admins keep the page judgment-free and non-political.
Modern Parenting Hub, 15K members
Both parents and caregivers can connect in this safe space all about communication and socialization. It’s not just about advice on this page, but also about really connecting and building relationships.
Simple Families, 13.7K members
Motherhood and parenting are filled with a lot of white noise … which means nonsense. This group looks to strip down and get rid of the nonsense and help moms focus and thrive in motherhood more simply.
One Bad Mother, 10K members
Based on their Podcast, this Facebook group aims at supporting their members through all of their “genius and failures of life.” Once again, they aim to keep this a safe space where members feel comfortable asking questions, sharing goofs and just venting about the toughness of motherhood.
Cat and Nat Chat, 53K members
If you ever need a true belly laugh, check out Cat & Nat’s #MomTruth videos on YouTube. They tell it like it is, the good, the bad and the (vomit-filled) ugly. And their Facebook group reflects their sass, humor and real-life approach to things.
Slate Parenting, 13.7K members Fans of Slate Parenting column and podcast Mom and Dad Are Fighting enjoy this dynamic group. All posts in this group are moderated by Slate’s parenting editors and columnists.
The Mom Rant,13K members
Had a hard day? You might want to consider join The Mom Rant, a safe place for moms and moms-to-be to rant/rave and vent freely. With 11k+ members from across Canada and around the world, it’s a judgment-free place for moms to find solidarity with others.
photo: iStock
Food-Related Groups
Hungry Toddlers, 128.7k members
Meal ideas and recipes for keeping kids happy during the toddler years.
Feeding the Littles, 70k members
We don’t want to scare you, but feeding young kids often stinks. They are the pickiest, strangest eaters on the planet. Check out this group if you want a safe place to share recipes, ask questions and get advice. Like most parenting groups, they urge members to be respectful and shy away from controversial topics.
Recipe Rescue, 3.9K members
From the Cool Mom Picks team, this active group offers ideas and inspiration for preparing family meals.
Parenting Picky Eaters, 19.6K+ members
Moderated by feeding consultant, Jo Cormack from the UK, and children’s nutritionist and therapist, Simone Emery, this is a safe space for parents of food-cautious kids.
Instant Pot Parents,19.5K members
If you like your Instant Pot and want more family-friendly ideas and recipes, this is the group for you. With over 18,00 members, there’s a wealth of knowledge here.
Kids’ Crafts and Activities, 73K members
There’s nothing worse than snow days, vacation days, sick days or rainy weekends without something to do. This group provides activities and shares articles, ideas, etc. for parents and kids. Think of it as a Pinterest Facebook group filled with tips, tricks and lifesavers.
Moms Who Run, 2.5K members
Mom-to-mom support to get out there and run no matter how busy life is.
Red Tricycle Book Club, 1K members
A monthly book club for moms hosted by the Red Tricycle team.
Moms in Tech, 14.8K members
Ad-free, judgment-free, solicitation-free, this is a safe space for moms working in tech (in any sort of position) looking connect and support each other. They encourage members to post job openings, share projects they are proud of, and respect other members’ privacy. Working is hard, motherhood is hard, and this group hopes to help relieve a bit of both.
Moms of Only Children, 4K members
Whether you are one and done by choice or not, if the question “Are you done having kids?” always annoys you, this is the group for you.
ADHD Parents Support Group, 139.9K members
An open, non-judgmental forum to discuss the challenges of parenting children with ADHD, as well as seek solutions.
Local Groups
Upper East Side Moms (New York City), 31K members
UES Mommas is a group where NY mommas come for support, positive and constructive guidance and community. It’s also a great place to check on great dining suggestions, what’s the deal with the Second Avenue Subway, and how’s that new dry cleaner that just opened. Plus, you can ask questions about schools, museums and more.
Upper West Side Mammas ,(New York City) 19K members Same thing, but for the Upper West side.
Brooklyn Baby Hui (New York City), 3.8K members
Parents from the neighborhoods of North Brooklyn sharing experiences, resources and stories to empower each other.
NYC Moms- Upper East Side, 21.4K Members
Safe place for moms on the UES to connect with local parents.
Circle of Moms (Chicago), 11K members
You can join this group to chat, ask for advice, give advice, learn about events happening in the area, vent, set up playdates and more. Keep up-to-date about what’s happening in the Windy City and all there is to see and do with kids—big and small.
Washington DC Area Moms, 8.7K members
Learn about events, get great tips (Best playgrounds! Best kid-friendly dining) on this local page. They don’t allow solicitations or marketing, so this is a safe space for even the most hesitant participant.
Main Street Mamas (San Francisco), 14K members
This group claims to have an open mind and no rules, but they do insist on no judging and being respectful. Keep business posts to Momtrepreneur Mondays and classifieds on the weekends, but otherwise, come and enjoy yourself. Learn about events and get to know your SF community.
Marin Mom’s Swap, 4k members
Simple selling and swapping for Marin County mamas.
Portland Mamas, 19K members
What started as a small space for a handful of moms in the area has grown to over 19,000 members offering advice, resources and support in an open and friendly manner. Ideas come fast and thick here, so if you’re looking for the best soft shoes for your toddler or the best school backpack, strap in and get ready! It’s like crowd-sourcing from thousands of great friends who have tried it first.
Red Tricycle Families Seattle, 3K members
Find the tools and tips you need to parent like a rock star on Red Tricycle’s own parent group page, Red Tricycle Families Seattle. On it, you’ll find events, ideas and activities that transform everyday parent-kid outings into memorable adventures that are surprisingly easy to do. It’s also a place for moms and dads to ask the “who, what, where and when” questions that always seem to crop up. Or to post what you know by sharing your own kicking kid-friendly events within the group.
LA Mommies, 58.7K members
LA Mommies is a private group so no one outside of it will see you post about having a mommy meltdown at 2 a.m., but be prepared to (virtually) run into other mom friends. Members can post anything and everything mom-related from pregnancy and parenting advice to the best spots for birthday parties or date nights.
While it may not be ideal for many, staying at home is essential to flattening the curve. Even still, if you’re wondering just how you’ll keep the kids entertained when everything is being canceled or postponed, we have you covered. Check out some of these great ideas for weekend family fun!
Start a book club! It’s easier than you think. There are tons of books we love about NYC, and some are flat out must-reads. Pick a few from the list to read with the kids, and talk about your favorite parts!
Virtual Lunch Dates
Since we’re all practicing social distancing, and visiting grandparents isn’t recommended, why not schedule virtual visits with video calls, homemade cards, and letters? It’s a great way to keep in touch when you can’t be there. Psst: it even works for playdates!
Go on Safari
No, really. With the Cincinnati Zoo offering virtual safaris, and many other zoos around the country offering virtual tours, a trip to the zoo is just a click away!
Local Scavenger Hunts
If the weather is cooperating and you just can’t face another day in the house, turn a walk around the neighborhood into a scavenger hunt with some of these ready-to-print options.
High on protein and low on carbs, these Paleo Egg Muffins from food blogger Rebecca of MyNaturalFamily.com are great for a morning pick-me-up or after school snack. Rebecca says that the muffins keep well so eat them fresh or store in the fridge for later. Tell us in the Comments below what your kids think of these bite-sized treats.
Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients:
8 oz. pork breakfast sausage
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 sweet onion thinly sliced
3/4 Cup bell pepper chopped or thinly sliced (any color)
1 1/2 Cup spinach (packaged)
1 tsp fresh oregano chopped or ½ t. dry oregano
9 eggs
1 Dash pepper
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 Cup coconut or almond milk
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin.
2. Place the ground sausage in a sauté pan and heat on medium high. Break up the ground sausage into crumbles with a spatula as it cooks.
3. When the sausage is half way cooked, add 1 T. of olive oil, onions, peppers, and oregano to the pan. Saute until the onion is translucent.
4. Add the spinach to the pan and cover with a lid. Cook for 30 seconds, remove the lid and toss the ingredients. Spinach should be wilted but still bright green. Remove from heat.
5. Place the eggs in a large mixing bowl along with the pepper, salt, and milk. Whisk together until eggs are well beaten.
6. Add the sausage and vegetables to the egg mixture and mix in until well distributed.
7. Divide the mixture between the greased muffin tins(12 total), making sure that each tin has a somewhat equal ratio of eggs/fillings.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. Cool for a few minutes and remove from tins, loosening the edges first with a knife.
What did your kids think of these treats? Do make Paleo dishes in your house?
For more recipe ideas that’ll have you taking charge of your health, visit MyNaturalFamily.com where Rebecca (mom of four) dishes about her latest healthy eats.
If you have little ones with a gluten intolerance or are going gluten-free for your own health, it can be daunting to take the first steps towards removing wheat, rye, and barley from your diet. Luckily, there are lots of resources to help and plenty of recipe ideas to make it easy on the family. We collected some of our favorites, see them all below.
photo: Veggies Don’t Bite
Breakfast
1. Overnight Oatmeal: Oats don’t contain gluten but are often grown close to the grasses that do and are sometimes processed on the same machines. Look for gluten-free oats to be absolutely sure. Set the little ones up for the day with these overnight oats from Sophia DeSantis of Veggies Don’t Bite. Berries and almond milk give this recipe an extra sweetness.
2. Pumpkin Honey Bread: Removing wheat flour can be a challenge if you enjoy baked bread and pastries. Store-bought gluten-free flour mix isn’t hard to find and includes alternative flours made from rice or seeds. If you’re making your own flour, a good mix is 1 1/4 cups coconut flour, 1/2 cup tapioca flour, 1/2 cup millet flour or brown rice flour and 1/4 cup gluten-free oat flour. Pumpkin bread is a hit any time of the year, and this recipe from our archives packs a punch of omega-3 fatty acids thanks to the addition of flax seeds.
3. French Toast: Gluten-free pasta and bread are easy to pick up at the store, which means with a stocked pantry, the family menu can still include breakfast favorites like french toast. These are super easy to throw together if you’ve got gluten-free bread to hand.
4. Buckwheat Waffles: In spite of its name, buckwheat isn’t related to wheat so it’s naturally gluten-free. This simple, 100% buckwheat flour recipe from Cookie & Kate yields light and crisp waffles that are still fluffy on the inside.
5. Blender Muffins: The batter for these muffins from The View From Great Island is based on oats, nuts, and water. Whizz up the ingredients, and fill muffin cups right from the blender for a gluten-free breakfast that takes less than half an hour to bake.
6. Pear and Banana Baked Pancakes: Try a twist on your usual pancakes with almond flour (It’s gluten-free!). These pancakes are oven-baked, which means no hovering over a hot stove. Kiddos will love topping them with powdered sugar and fresh fruit.
7. Sweet Cranberry Bars: These sweet bars are the perfect midday snack, especially since they’re filled with good-for-you ingredients like oats and coconut oil.
8. Sunflower Granola Bites: Instead of reaching for a granola bar at snack time, make a batch of these granola bites on Sunday afternoon. The sunflower butter and cocoa nibs make them an instant kid fave.
9.Oven Roasted BBQ Chickpeas: Little foodies will love getting in on the action when you’re tossing chickpeas in an insanely delicious spice mixture. Like kale chips, this recipe is vegan, nut-free and gluten-free.
10.Apple Pie Fruit Leathers: Homemade fruit leather may sound a little ambitious, but it’s actually super simple, not to mention way cheaper than buying it from the grocery store. You can also dry sliced apples the same way.
11. Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowl: Wheat-based pasta is off the table when you’re going gluten-free, but when one door closes, another opens. Say hello to this spaghetti squash recipe from Eat Within Your Means for a new kind of noodle. Cut the squash across the width rather than the length for the best spaghetti yield, and bake them to your liking before fluffing and adding sauce.
12. Mac and Cheese:This family favorite gets a makeover thanks to Veggies Don’t Bite, one of our go-to resources for gluten-free and vegan eats. This sharp white mac ‘n’ cheese bake is as creamy and delicious as its dairy counterpart.
14. Zoodles with Shrimp:Put a spiralizer on your shopping list because not only are zoodles (aka zucchini noodles) a healthy, low-calorie, and low-carb option to replace pasta, their mild flavor can easily adapt to a wide range of flavors. Heap them with lemon and garlic for this light shrimp scampi recipe via Erin Clarke at Well Plated.
15. Asian Lettuce Wraps: It can be a surprise to find out that gluten can also be lurking in salad dressings, soy sauce, french fries, and cereal, so it’s important to look at the ingredients when shopping for these items. Consider using lettuce wraps where you might have used a burger bun. These wraps from Our Family Eats are big on flavor, just make sure the soy sauce in your pantry is gluten-free.
16. Homemade Chicken Fingers: Kamut, farro, spelt, triticale, bulgur, durum, and semolina will be off-limits if the family is going gluten-free. These crispy chicken fingers put a healthy twist on the well-loved classic with the addition of sunflower seeds, flax seed, and sesame seeds to add some crunch.
photo: Cookie & Kate
17. Almond Meal Quiche. The almond meal base of this quiche makes it a delicious gluten-free alternative to a regular crust and adds an unexpected sweetness. If you think the kids will turn their noses up at arugula and mushrooms, use the crust recipe as your starting point and add a simplified cheese and ham filling.
18. Quick Chicken Stew: If you generally use wheat flour to thicken sauces, it’s easy to switch to rice flour or cornstarch to do the job. That’s what Amy Fothergill, of The Family Chef, uses in this recipe from our archives. She puts some leftover chicken to work for a simple and comforting family meal.
20. Mini Meatloaf Muffins: Everything is better when it’s bite-sized, and meatloaf is no exception. This recipe doesn’t use flour but you’ll have to have some gluten-free bread on hand to make breadcrumbs. It’s easy to sneak a few veggies into the mix, too!
21. Black Bean Burgers: Keep the veggie lovers in your family happy with these flavorful black bean burgers. Use gluten-free bread to bind and lettuce as an alternative to brioche or burger buns.
22. Mexican Pork Carnitas: Switch out wheat tortillas for corn, and you can still put together these tacos that are so tasty, no-one will notice the difference. This recipe takes a bit more time, but the leftovers will make it worth spending your Sunday afternoon cooking.
26.Lemon Almond Cookies: Keep it simple with easy lemon almond cookies that pair perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa.
27.Secret Ingredient Brownies: The secret behind these brownies is black beans, believe it or not—they give the brownies their fudgy taste without adding extra calories.
28.Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies: In case the to-die-for combination of peanut butter and chocolate isn’t enough to convince you to whip this one up, it’s ridiculously simple to boot—there are only five ingredients!
Make this Halloween extra sweet by whipping up a batch of your very own caramels. Turn this cooking activity into a learning moment as you show your kids how to measure ingredients and read a thermometer. This recipe comes to us courtesy of FoodNetwork.com. Be sure to click over to FoodNetwork.com for more great recipe ideas.
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: About 32 Pieces
Level: Intermediate
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
4 small ripe pears, such as Anjou or Forelle (about 2 pounds)
36 (6-inch) wooden skewers
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream, divided
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch salt
Black sesame seeds for eyes
Pink or yellow candy buttons, for decoration nose
Method:
1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Just before you make the caramel, core and cut pears into eight wedges, blunting the cut side so that it can lay on a flat surface peel side up. Place a skewer into each wedge, cover with paper towel, and set aside.
3. Combine sugars, corn syrup, butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, vanilla and nutmeg in a heavy sauce pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. When the mixture has come to a brisk boil, slowly add in the remaining cream, keep the mixture boiling. Be sure to wipe any extra sugar from the side of the pot. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot with the tip immersed. Boil the mixture briskly, stirring gently, until the mixture registers 240 degrees F on the candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat. Pour the caramel into a medium heat proof bowl using a rubber spatula so that you do not scrape the bottom of the pot. Let caramel rest until it thickens and cools slightly, about 3 minutes.
4. Blot excess moisture from the pears using the paper towels. Dip pears completely into caramel, swirling until it is fully coated, allow excess to drip off slightly. Place on prepared sheet pan. Decorate with black sesame seeds for eyes and candy button noses, while the caramel is still soft. Repeat until all the pears are dipped. Allow to cool until firm about 30 minutes. Serve.
Cook’s Note: As the caramel cools during dipping, it may stiffen and be too thick or slide off on the pear. Just reheat in microwave, checking at 20 second intervals until at the desired dipping consistency.
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For a hearty meal with minimal hassle turn to this quiche recipe that combines ingredients kids love: cheese, egg and puff pastry dough. Sneak in veggies like leeks, onion and spinach or whatever goods you have in your fridge for this dish that can be made for lunch, dinner or a mid-day snack. Using puff pastry dough means you’ll cut down on the hours you spend in the kitchen. What’s not to love?
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 chopped roughly Onion
2 minced Garlic Cloves
12 oz Baby Spinach
1 lbs Ricotta Cheese
3 Eggs
1 T Thyme (Leaves only, minced)
1/2 tsps Salt
2 oz small dice Salami
1 tsps Water
1 Package Puff Pastry
Method:
1. In a large skillet heat up your Olive Oil and add in your Onion and Leek. Cook for at least 5 minutes, then add in your garlic and cook for another 3 minutes. Add in all your spinach, cook and toss until the spinach is completely wilted. At this point, taste and season with salt and pepper. Take off the heat and let cool.
2. While your veggies are cooling, prepare the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, mix together your ricotta, 2 eggs (save the 3rd egg for later usage), Thyme and 1/2 tsp. Salt. Once mixed, add in your spinach mixture from Step 1 & mix thoroughly.
3. On a large baking sheet, with a silpat on top, roll out your Puff Pastry. The Puff Pastry I usually buy comes in two sheets, so i made two medium sized Quiches. Fill your pastry up but leave about an inch or two around the edges. Fold the edges over the filling. Now mix together your last egg and about a teaspoon of water and brush the egg wash over the crust of the puff pastry to help it get golden brown and crispy!
4. Bake in a 375 degree over for 40-45 minutes or until perfectly golden brown. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
“Like” this recipe if you plan to make a quiche this week.
recipe and photo courtesy of Urban Cookery. Check out their website for more fantastic recipe ideas.
Tasty chicken with herbs wrapped in puff pastry dough makes for a great summertime snack (or dinnertime meal). We like that it’s easy to adjust the size of these bundles–bigger for the adults and smaller for the kids. Courtesy of Bushel & a Peck, this recipe will soon become your family’s new favorite dish.
Makes 16 bundles
Ingredients:
3 Cups cooked chicken, cut up (approx. 2-3 chicken breasts, or 3-4 chicken leg quarters)
1 small container onion & chive cream cheese (8 oz, 227g)
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 bunch of green onions, sliced
1/4 Tsp each rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, and 1 tbsp dried chives. Any or all of these spices are optional. I used a free, pre-packaged pouch of the spices from an omelette recipe I had.
Salt & pepper to taste
2 packs (397 g each) puff pastry, thawed.
1 egg, and 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
Method:
1. Have your oven shelves set at the middle, and top places. Heat oven to 450 degrees F (if planning to bake them right away). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken, cream cheese, chopped artichokes, green onion and spices. Set aside.
3. Un-wrap one puff pastry, and roll out until it is approximately a 9×12 inch rectangle. Cut into quarters (bottom right photo)
4. Put 4 tbsp of the chicken mixture in a slight log/rectangle shape (following the shape of the cut pastry) in the centre of each rectangle.
5. Now, start folding the pastry by first folding over a wide side, then a narrow, than a wide, and finish with a narrow side, pinching the pastry at the top to seal it. Place onto prepared cookie sheet, and continue making the bundles until you’ve used up all the pastry and chicken.
6. Mix in a small bowl the egg and water, and brush over pastry before baking.
7. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is golden and puffed. You can bake both sheets at once, but at the 10 minute mark you will need to rotate the sheets. Cool slightly before eating (so you don’t cut into a steaming, delicious hot bundle of burn your mouth off!)
Tell us how your chicken bundles turned out in the Comments below!
recipe and photo courtesy of Amy-Lyn of Bushel & a Peck. Visit her blog for more great recipe ideas.
