Mix up your pasta routine while still appealing to your kids’ picky taste buds with this creamy, warm, and comforting Fettuccine Alfredo recipe. Sneak in veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and any other goods you have on hand.

Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe Ingredients

1 package of fettuccine noodles
1/4 c finely chopped onion
1 c fresh sliced mushrooms
1 c spinach leaves
2 tbsp butter
1 c heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic
2 chicken breasts, cooked (optional)

Method
1. In a large frying pan, saute the onion in butter.

2. Once the onion is tender, add the garlic and mushrooms.

3. Saute until they are all tender.

4. Reduce heat to low/medium heat and slowly stir in heavy cream.

5. Add the salt and parmesan and stir until the parmesan has dissolved.

6. Add pre-cooked spinach if desired (or, cook fresh spinach with 1 tbsp of butter until wilted).

7. If you would like to thicken your alfredo sauce add a few tbsps of flour.

8. Stir until you have achieved your desired thickness.

9. Serve over your noodle of choice and with a white chicken breast on the side (or cut up the chicken and serve it on top).

 

Who is ready for a family road trip? With national parks, monuments, seashores, and more within driving distance of Washington, DC, you won’t have trouble finding the perfect family getaway destination. Our list includes spots that you likely know (like the Smoky Mountains National Park) and under-the-radar national parks where the crowds will be smaller. Are you ready for a river rafting experience or a day at the beach? We have both in this list!

New River Gorge National Park

Where to Stay: River Expeditions
Offering tent camping, safari tents, rustic cabins, leisure cabins, and luxury cabins, River Expeditions' 100+ acre campus has something for every family (or family reunion!). Kids love the beautiful wooded terrain with small hiking trails.
 
Where to Eat: Cathedral Cafe
Fresh, hot, delicious eats and coffee at this local favorite. The vibe is cool and friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating. 
 
Ages six and up will giggle through class I through III rapids and eat a picnic along the river. Kids and adults can hop out on quiet segments of the river and float alongside the boat. 
 
What to Do if it Rains: Pinheads Bowling Alley
We’ve all been there: planned a day out when the rain rolls in. Fear not, Pinheads has you covered! With plenty of space for the whole family and a menu that will please the kids (and their adults), you can while away a few hours boning up on your strikes.

Wendy Altschuler

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From unforgettable vistas on the hike up and at the summit of Mount LeConte to seeing real-life "fairies" at night during the annual firefly viewing, there are countless outdoor adventures to be had in the Smokys.
 
Where to Stay: Wilderness at The Smokies is a great choice for families. With most rooms designed to feel like a suite, there is plenty of space for everyone to sleep, and the kids will love the rustic bunk beds.
 
What to do: Sometimes the kids have had enough hiking and Soaky Mountain Water Park is the spot where everyone can giggle their way down winding water slides or relax on a tube down the lazy river.
 
Where to Eat: Graze Burgers has a great adult and children's menu, serving up fresh and tasty burgers of all varieties, including vegetarian. If you need a coffee before your hike, pop over to local-favorite Honeybee Coffee.
 
What to Do if it Rains: Wilderness at the Smokies is a great place to stay because of its indoor/outdoor water parks. If bad weather moves in, families can stay put and enjoy the Wild Water Dome, an indoor water park with the feel of being outside. This is perfect for young families.
 

Shenandoah National Park

Just 75 miles from DC, your crew will fall in love with our local National Park. It is bursting with epic waterfalls, spectacular views, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded areas for a family picnic. With over 200,000 acres to explore, you'll likely see deer, songbirds, and black bears; oh my.

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club manages cabins throughout the DMV, including a few inside Shenandoah National Park. Ranging from primitive (no electricity or running water) to modern, the cabins are a delightful and budget friendly way to experience the park. 
 
Where to Eat: Gathering Grounds
Try the turkey cobb sandwich served on a pretzel bun and bring a cinnamon bun home to enjoy later! 
 
What to Do: Rose River Falls
A 3.9-mile loop hike to Rose River Falls boasts a 67-foot cascading waterfall and an awesome swimming hole. This hike along the Hogcamp Branch stream is stunning, a treat for adults and kids alike!
 
What to Do if it Rains: Luray Caverns
Visit the largest caverns in the Eastern United States, offering lighted tours on paved walkways through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10-stories high, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Oh, and you might even see some wild horses too. Your little ones can earn their Junior Ranger badge while you soak up some sun on the pristine beaches of this national seashore. Don't forget to try your hand at crabbing. It's one Assateague experience your kids won't soon forget. 

Where to Stay: Refuge Inn, a family-friendly place with a pool and a pony farm! You may not be able to ride the wild horses, but if your kiddos catch the horse bug while you're visiting, they're sure to enjoy a pony ride!
 
Where to Eat: Sea Star Cafe offers delicious hand-crafted fresh sandwiches, salads, soups and goodies with the best ingredients available.
 
What to Do: Go crabbing! Crabbing is a great activity for the entire family regardless of age. Grab a hand line or string with a weight attached, some bait, and a net with a long handle. If you plan to keep the crabs you will also need to bring a ruler to measure crab size as well as a cooler with ice. Just remember: crabs can pinch! 
 
What to Do if it Rains: Delmarva Discovery Center is a perfect place to explore the rich history and natural world of the Delmarva peninsula. Kids will adore the touch pool, STEAM lab, and a chance to see a beaver's lodge from the inside!
 

Great Falls Park

This park offers many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital. Another Junior Ranger spot, your little ones can learn about the Potawmack Canal and Matildaville's Ghost Town. You'll all love the spectacular waterfall views and local family-friendly hikes. 

Where to Stay: This Airbnb is located in Great Falls and has plenty of space for the whole family. 

Where to Eat: Roots Provisions and Grocery is a delicious place for a post-hike lunch. Their mouthwatering menu includes favorites such as a braised brisket sandwich.

What to Do: Colvin Run Mill is a real, working mill. Enjoy a tour and their charming general store, where visitors can purchase their grains, ground on-site! 

What to Do if It Rains: Sure, museums and cultural attractions are great for rainy days... but sometimes, so is the mall! Tyson's Corner Center has a Lego Store and a Build-A-Bear Workshop, not to mention so many dining options for mom, dad, and the kids. There's even a giant movie theater, so you can make a full day of it.

Related: The Best National Parks to Visit with Kids (& the Airbnbs to Book When You Do)

kid holding brother in front of a pond
Vitolda Klein on Unsplash

Raystown Lake

Here you will find boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and scenic beauty. This twisting lake, the largest entirely within Pennsylvania, extends 27 miles and covers 8,300 acres. If you want a unique lake experience, book a scuba tour with one of the local companies. 

Insider Tip: Take your family back in time with a trip to a state-of-the-art drive-in theater! Kids and adults will love The Mill Creek Drive-In Theater.

Where to Stay: Airydale Retreat's glampsites, particularly the Cardinal 1 and 2, are terrific for families with children. Their spacious interiors provide plenty of space for people to relax indoors, while the twisty slide is sure to entertain for hours! Each site has a covered picnic table, fire ring, nearby private bathroom with flushing toilet, and propane camp stove with basic cooking supplies.

Where to Eat: Try Kars and Koffee, held every Saturday at The Swigart Antique Automobile Museum, where antique cars are on display and the coffee flows freely. Bring a pastry  from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. May through October. 

What to Do: Get out on the lake in a kayak or canoe! Enjoy this unique way to explore nature, get some exercise, and gain a new experience for the whole family.

What to Do if it Rains: Experience a one-hour interpretive tour of two spectacular crystal caverns, Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks. A wide variety of speleothems (cave formations), including delicate crystals, sparkling stalactites, and massive flowstones, await around every turn! 

Blue Heron Farm

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Delaware Bay is just two hours away. Every fall, thousands of migrating shorebirds make their critical trip south. You can see them feeding by the thousands on the salt marsh mudflats along the wildlife drive at low tide. 

Where to stay: Add a farm stay to your adventure, and unwind at the Chalet on Blue Heron Farm. This rustic waterfront retreat on the Chester River's upper reaches is a peaceful and private getaway situated just 15 minutes from historic Chestertown. Enjoy epic views from the giant wrap-around deck overlooking the river and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Where to eat: Boondocks Restaurant and Package Store. Kids will love the decor and yummy eats, adults will enjoy fresh seafood.

What to do: Go birding. Bombay Hook is among the most famous birding locations in the eastern United States. The waterfowl migration begins in early fall and brings many species of ducks and geese to the refuge to spend the winter, including the Greater Snow Geese. The geese arrive in October and depart for the Arctic in February and March.

What to do if it rains: Visit the Air Mobility Command Museum. Admission is free and visitors can climb a real air traffic control tower and see over thirty aircraft!

Related: 27 Farm Stays Every Family Should Experience

Prince William Forest Park

Hikers, bikers and nature lovers rejoice! We've found the perfect place for your crew to explore.

Where to Stay: Prince William Forest Park offers cabin rentals, which happen to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the 1930s and 1940s, the cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Where to Eat: The Secret Garden Cafe in Occoquan is a relaxed restaurant in an 1840 home with a garden patio, serving American fare with global twists.

What to Do: With over 900 plant species, your future botanist will have tons to identify and see throughout the lush forest. Plan to hike shorter trails with little legs in tow, including Piedmont Forest Trail and Laurel Loop Trail.

What to Do if it Rains: Visit the Weems-Botts Museum in Historic Dumfries. Travel through time on a guided tour of the historic house museum decorated in 18th, 19th, and 20th-century styles. Learn about the crucial role the port town of Dumfries served in Virginia’s history.

River Riders

Harpers Ferry National Park

Harpers Ferry is filled with distinctive architecture, walkable streets, and so much to do. With a series of historic attractions and museums, this national park beautifully details the Civil War history of the region

Where to Stay: Located just one mile from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the Clarion Hotel Harpers Ferry has 100 spacious hotel rooms and an on-site restaurant, and it is next door to a tubing and rafting outfitter.

Where to Eat: Head to neighboring Bolivar to stock up on provisions at H.B. Snallygaster's General Store and Cafe. A deli in the back serves West Virginia pepperoni rolls on Bolivar Bread Bakery sourdough, and customers can also find craft beer, baked goods, and to-go cocktail kits.

What to Do: Flat-Water Tubing at Harpers Ferry is fun for the whole family, this trip is suitable for those looking for a relaxing experience.

What to Do If It Rains: Visit the John Brown Wax Museum, with its unique dioramas and haunted-house feel, you’ll certainly have a blast indoors at this wax museum.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfknK4aD1vI/?hidecaption=true

Piscataway Park

Piscataway Park is home to bald eagles, beavers, deer, foxes, ospreys, and many other species. To complement the surroundings, the park has, in addition to a public fishing pier and two boardwalks over fresh water tidal wetlands, a variety of nature trails, meadows, and woodland areas. The Park is also home to the National Colonial Farm.

Where to Stay: The AC Hotel National Harbor has all the classic hotel amenities, including a gym and restaurant. But the bonus of staying at this hotel is how close you'll be to the Capital Wheel and carousel. 

Where to Eat: Nando's Peri-Peri serves up delicious, rotisserie-style chicken and a variety of sides. Mom and Dad will love the spicy sauce options and gourmet sides, while kids will enjoy tasty french fries and corn-on-the-cob, available seasonally.

What to Do: Visit the National Colonial Farm. Take a tour through 1770 led by one of the National Colonial Farm educators. Explore the grounds of a working tobacco farm and meet its two- and four-legged residents. These tours are offered March through December and are are open to the public.

What to Do If It Rains: Hop across the river and visit Mount Vernon, the home that George Washington shared with his wife, Martha.

—Mary Marth Aubry & Angelica Kajiwara

From thrill seekers to gamers, movie buffs to history buffs, fishers to swimmers and everything in-between, we rounded up the best experience gifts and products for every type of Dad this Father’s Day. Spend nothing but time while fishing in Anacostia or invest in tickets to Dad’s favorite attractions, like nearby HersheyPark or prime seats at a Nats game. Whether you want a special experience you don’t have to wrap or something special to open on Father’s Day morning, here are our picks for best gifts from DC-area establishments.

photo: Wolf Trap 

May the Force Be With Dad
Rule the galaxy as father and son (or daughter) with Star Wars tickets. Your favorite Star Wars fan will appreciate the July 29th musical presentation of the The Empire Strike’s Back’s famous score at Wolf Trap where Storm Troopers make a personal appearance. The film will play while the National Symphony Orchestra plays the film’s soundtrack life (a screen will be both on the stage and on the grass so those with lawn seats can see). Tickets start at $42/person.

photo: Hershey Park 

Give Free Kisses
Hershey Kisses, that is! Make this Father’s Day a sweet one with a daytrip to Hershey Park. Just two hours north of DC, this amusement park boasts over 70 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, the largest water-play structure in the world, live entertainment, games, food, shops, and even a simulated tropical rainforest where visitors learn how cocoa beans grow and are harvested. Ticket purchases include admission to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo that includes more than 200 animals from five regions of North America.it! While you’re in town, check out Hershey Gardens. It’s free for Dad on Father’s Day. 

Family matching swimsuits

Show Don’t Tell
How do you tell the world you’re a family man without telling the world? Father-and-kiddo matching outfits! Pools are open, so dive in with the gift of coordination because nothing says “we’re all together” like showing up to the pool in matching family swim suits. Tea Collections offers select patterns in sizes to fit the whole family, so everyone can get in on the fun (including Mom!). Tea is sold at Mom-and-Pop shops Wee Chic in Fairfax VA and Kinder Haus Toys in Alexandria, VA carry the line.

 

photo: The Dad Hoodie

 

The Gift of Pockets
The Dad Hoodie is the Swiss Army knife of garments. The inside of this hoodie is lined with pockets that last Dad ditch the diaper bag.  That’s probably why they weight a ton. Lighten her load this Mother’s Day with a hoodie that does it all. This unisex hoodie ($98) has room for all of the essentials  (and more) for those long walk around the ‘hood. With six inside pockets and two outside, this hoodie has room for diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks and possibly even the kitchen sink.

 

photo: Hello, Wonderful

Share His Story

The best presents are often the ones that are handmade at home. This creative fill-it-out yourself booklet designed by Hello, Wonderful are what memories are made of. Your guy will forever cherish the innocently hilarious answers his kiddos give to creative questions like, “the most fun thing I’ve done with my dad is…” and “my dad smells like…”. For more DIY Father’s Day card projects, go here.

 

photo: Monster Jam

Get Revved Up!
Celebrate Father’s Day a week early at Monster Jam, the ultimate display of monster trucks. Spend a day watching high-octane action as these supersized beast-like vehicles compete at FedEx Field on June 11. Tickets start at $33 and include 2.5 hours of flips, tricks and daredevil racing.

Man Driving antique car at antique car show

photo: Craige McGonigle via Unsplash 

Turn Back Time

Enjoy Father’s Day at this annual antique car show where over 400 cars are on display. Spend the day listening to live music, doing hands-on activities in the kids’ tent, shopping the flea market and possibly buying Dad a new car (some of these beauties are for sale!). While you’re there, tour the Sully Historic House.The Antique Car Show Admission fee is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 per child. Historic Sully House fee is included in admission at no additional cost.

 

photo: Jose Morales via Unsplash

Go Nats!
Whether you give him a night off to hang with friends at Nationals Park or get the whole family into the game, what could be better than an afternoon or evening at a Nats game! The weekend after Father’s Day the Nats take on the Philadelphia Phillies (June 19 at 12:05 p.m.). Family Fun package tickets, which include a hot dog, chips and soda start at $23/per person. Children under 10 attend free.

 

a dad and daughter catch a fish

photo: iStock 

Make Memories for Free
You don’t have to spend a dime to give Dad a special holiday. The first Friday Night Fishing kicks off along the Anacostia River on June 17. Bait, tackle and rods are provided, but come early. This weekly event is first come, first served (when the dock is full, fishing is capped to one hour so those on the waitlist can have a turn). Make it a summer tradition and go every Friday, June 17-Aug. 26 from 5-8 p.m.

Cave Men Rule
If you haven’t yet journeyed out to the Luray Caverns in Northern Virginia, this is a fun family day trip that is sure to please even the hardest to satisfy caveman as well as the kiddos. Pack plenty of snacks and a lunch for your adventure. Note: this trip is not for the weary—the tour is about an hour and you’ll cover 1.25 miles. Strollers are OK but bring the smaller one you have due to some of the stairs and steep inclines on parts of the tour ($32/adults; $16/kids 6-12; free/5 and under). Admission gets you access and the Luray Caverns tour, a self-guided tour of the Car and Carriage Caravan, and the Luray Valley Museum.

Meghan Yudes Meyers and Kristina Messner

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Howdy neighbor! Good ones are hard to beat and Neighbor.com wanted to find the cities with the best of the best. After weighing charitable giving, volunteering, happiness and more, one clear winner rose to the top.

Madison, Wisconsin claimed the number one spot, probably because it’s also ranked the #1 Happiest City in America! It also leads the nation in nonprofits per 100,000 residents. Neighbor.com reports that Madisonians spend plenty of free time volunteering and performing kind acts for neighbors.

Here’s the full list of the Top 25 Most Neighborly Cities:

  1. Madison, Wisconsin
  2. Rochester, New York
  3. Portland, Oregon
  4. Minneapolis, Minnesota
  5. Des Moines, Iowa
  6. Washington, D.C.
  7. Boston, Massachusetts
  8. Seattle, Washington
  9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  10. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  11. Raleigh, North Carolina
  12. San Jose, California
  13. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  14. Grand Rapids, Michigan
  15. Bridgeport, Connecticut
  16. Salt Lake City, Utah
  17. Spokane, Washington
  18. Oxnard, California
  19. Allentown, Pennsylvania
  20. Indianapolis, Indiana
  21. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  22. Durham, North Carolina
  23. Provo, Utah
  24. Baltimore, Maryland
  25. San Francisco, California

To compile the list, Neighbor.com considered factors like charitable giving and volunteering, as well as happiness, low crime rates and where non-profits thrive. They also surveyed 1,000 people around the country and asked what it meant to be a good neighbor. 29 percent said they hang out with their neighbors weekly and most people (65.8%) have at least 2 neighbors they can rely on to help out when they’re out of town.

If you’re curious how this year’s rankings compared to 2020, you can read the full report online. Cheers to good neighbors everywhere!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Edward Cisneros, Unsplash

 

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The moment the kids head back to school the world pivots away from summer and is in full-on pumpkin spice mode. But what happens if you can’t stand the taste of pumpkin? You’re probably a salted caramel fan!

Swiss Miss is here for the autumn season with its newest cocoa blend. Salted Caramel brings the buttery taste of caramel with the perfect pinch of salt to have you dreaming of scarves and crunchy leaves.

The 8-pack box is a steal at $1.69 and is already available on Amazon and Target. Happy fall, ya’ll!

––Karly Wood

 

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Will Tan France’s baby rock the French tuck like dad? We can’t say. What we can say is congratulations to Tan and his partner Rob, who welcomed home their new addition today!

Baby Ismail has made his debut on Instagram and according to France, he was born early on July 10. The beaming couple shared two photos with their son to mark the occasion. In the caption France wrote “We love him so, so much. Like fully obsessed.” Insert all the heart eyes!

France first shared that the couple was expecting in April, noting that they’d have the baby via “the most wonderful surrogate” and that Baby France was due in the summer. He noted “Something we’ve wanted for sooo many years. Our hearts are so full right now.”

The family resides in Salt Lake City, Utah and France stars as a stylist on the popular show Queer Eye with the rest of the Fab Five. His partner Rob is an illustrator and the couple has been together since 2007. We’re so excited for the new dads as they embark on the journey of parenthood!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of DFree/ Shutterstock

 

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Stains: they are the hallmark of true parenting (and a sure result of a girls-night-in). While you might be able to let a few slide, some of them just could cost you the deposit on your apartment or incite a desire to replace your shag with something more, well, wipeable. We polled our editorial staff—who know a thing or two about stain removal—and got together their best tips. Scroll down for 18 simple ways to keep it clean.

security via Pixabay

1. Use boiling water for red wine: You might have heard the tried and true soda water/cold water rinse for red wine, but here’s a method our editors swear by—pour boiling water over the red wine stain and blot it up with a cloth (Note: do not blot it before without water).

2. Use lemon for sweat rings: Use lemon juice and water on sweat stains. Make a little potion and soak the area. Baking soda and water paste can help remove underarm stains on white clothing.

3. Use salt for red wine and grease stain: Pour salt on the stain to soak up any extra wine, then soak in cold water for 30 min. For blood, one hour in cold saltwater. Salt also helps absorb grease stains!

4. Use Shock It Clean. No, we don’t mean singing perfectly on-pitch to "Side to Side" and shocking the crowd. One of our editors turned us on to this product, and we are telling you that it removes every carpet stain ever. Including that weird pee stain you only just now noticed and can’t tell if it’s human or pet.  

5. Use white wine on red wine: Yes, you have to waste a little white wine, but that’s nothing compared to wasting a good Sangiovese (Yes, we realize this is the third wine stain hack. What?).

Tyler Nix via Unsplash

6. Use white vinegar to get out coffee stains: Try white vinegar on coffee stains (on clothing). Soak for at least 8 hrs.

7. Chalk works on oil: Liquid dish soap is the most effective treatment for oil stains, but a stick of chalk can help absorb it quickly. Use a paper towel to blot up as much oil as possible, then rub the chalk stick on it. Wash as soon as possible. 

8. One word: Oxiclean (That's one word, right?). Grass stains have met their match.

9. Use nail polish remover on paint: If you’ve got paint on the jeans you just couldn’t bring yourself to take off before touching up the walls, try shaving it off with a razor. Super stubborn paint stains from the people who painted before you can be combatted with nail polish remover and elbow grease.

10. Aluminum foil works wonder on rust: You can remove rust by lightly scrubbing with aluminum foil. Add a little white vinegar to really scrape off stubborn stuff.

Callum Hill via Unsplash

11. Lemons make your sink shine: Clean up the gunk and shine up the chrome of your faucets using lemons. You can use a half-lemon or a wedge to squeeze into narrow spots and it works great to get your stainless steel sink to gleam too.

12. Toothpaste will make your diamonds sparkle: Use toothpaste to polish your silver rings and get rid of those tarnished stains.

13. Take care with rubbing alcohol to get nail polish out of the carpet: If you spill nail polish on the carpet or floor, use a microfiber cloth to absorb as much as you can, then continue blotting with rubbing alcohol and microfiber cloth (Nail polish remover can damage hardwoods and other flooring surfaces, but you can try soaking the microfiber cloth in a bit of remover before washing).

14. Baking soda and white vinegar works on pet messes: To clean up poop, dog or otherwise, from the carpet you'll need white vinegar and baking soda. And a lot of paper towels. And probably gloves. Just let the paste fizz and blot, fizz and blot. It's like a mini-volcano of gross.

lightstargod via Pixabay

15. Cornstarch on a decorated dog: Kids got markers and/or paints and painted your dog? (No, oh, just wait...) If your pooch is light-colored, cornstarch can help lighten the fur back up.

16. Shout also works on pet messes: You can try your average carpet cleaner or "pet stain remover" but we found nothing takes care of the remains of the day like a laundry stain remover, i.e. extra-strength Shout.

17. Soda on garage grease stains. Pour a can of Coke on a greasy stain in your garage. (Diet Coke won't cut it, but you can always try.)

18. If all else fails: Give up (wear dark colors, or beige if you’re preventing spit-up stains; make sure your carpets are artfully swirly; put smocks on your kids every day).

 

—Edit Team

 

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Yes, it’s only July, but we’re already dreaming about fall. Cooler weather, hot drinks, beautiful leaves and…apple cider donut OREOS? They’re real and they’re coming to stores this August!

Today OREO shared a short social media live stream to announce the release of the new flavor, which will be available nationwide. It’s apple-cider flavored creme sandwiched between two Golden OREO cookies. The packaging is transporting us to our favorite apple orchard!

 

You’ll be able to buy a pack for $5.19 for a limited time, as well as another newly-announced flavor, Salted Caramel Brownie. That one is coming this month and features layers of caramel and brownie flavored creme, with a sprinkle of salt! Get excited, OREO lovers!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of OREO

 

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Struggling to get a little green on your kid’s plate? You’re not alone! Researchers at Penn State studied tactics to promote increased vegetable consumption—and what they found was surprising.

The trick? Doubling the portion of vegetables on the plate. That tactic increased veggie intake by 68%! The study involved lunch servings at childcare centers once a week for four weeks. 67 children from ages three to five participated and received broccoli and corn, along with classic preschool favorites like fish sticks, rice and ketchup. Researchers weighed the meals to determine intake and served the vegetables plain, or enhanced with butter and salt. They also varied the veggie portion to be a regular size or double size.

Surprisingly, adding “enhancements” did nothing to affect vegetable consumption. When asked to rate the taste, preschoolers had a similar liking for both plain and enhanced versions of the broccoli and corn. They also ate just as much of the rest of their meal with a double veggie portion, as opposed to a regular portion.

“It’s important to serve your kids a lot of vegetables, but it’s also important to serve them ones they like because they have to compete with the other foods on the plate,” said Barbara Rolls, Helen A. Guthrie Chair and director of the Laboratory for the Study of Human Ingestive Behavior at Penn State. “Parents can ease into this by gradually exposing kids to new vegetables, cooking them in a way their child enjoys, and experimenting with different flavors and seasonings as you familiarize them.”

So the next time you’re cooking dinner, put a little extra scoop of the vegetable on your kid’s plate and see what happens!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Naomi Shi/Pexels

 

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Do your kids dream of eating pancakes with a penguin? Or breakfast burritos with a brown bear? Nutella is partnering with zoos across the country for a “Breakfast With Animals” series and it could be coming to a city near you this summer!

Ten zoos will be participating in the event, which begins with a special breakfast featuring Nutella, followed by private chats with zookeepers at various animal habitats. Most zoos will also feature animal ambassadors at the breakfasts, so you’ll be able to interact during the meal and learn what specific creatures eat to start the day!

The following locations will offer tickets to purchase:

  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (June 19, July 17, 31 and August 7, 28)
  • Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, UT (June 26 and July 10)
  • Oklahoma City Zoo (July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 14, 21, 28)
  • Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Columbia, SC (July 17 and August 14)
  • Memphis Zoo (July 17 and August 14)
  • Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park (July 17 and August 14)
  • Nashville Zoo at Grassmere (July 24 and August 21)
  • Pittsburgh Zoo (July 25 and August 8)
  • Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago IL (August 21 and September 25)
  • Phoenix Zoo (September 25 and 26)

Nutella is committed to bringing families together and wants to facilitate more family time and memories together with the creation of this event. And we all know hazelnut spread is a hit with kids at any breakfast! Visit the listed zoo’s individual websites to get tickets and learn more about their specific events. But don’t move like a tortoise because they’re sure to sell out!

Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Ferrero Group

 

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