Capri Sun? Been there, sipped that. Now introduce your kid to Chicago’s fresh-squeezed juice and smoothie scene. (Psst. . . it’s a great way to sneak in veggies!) We hopped around to town to find juice and smoothie bars and cafes that focus on the all-natural stuff and have family-friendly atmospheres to boot. Grab a tall, healthy glass at one of these sunny spots, or take it to go and mosey through a park.
Why it deserves a squeeze: The locally owned spot will be your new favorite place to pop in for a sandwich and cold-pressed juice, and treat the kids to a special smoothie. They also get points for convenience with their online ordering option.
Real Good Juice Co. now has several locations in the city and you can find them in Whole Foods, as well. They offer 10-ounce cold-pressed juices which boast three pounds of organic locally-sourced produce per bottle and come with witty names like Juicille Ball and Punky Juice-Ster. For a snack try a smoothie bowl, a toast or sandwich or the NoYoFroYo.
Locations in Lincoln Park, Old Town, Lakeview, River North & Southport; Online: realgoodstuffco.com
Why it deserves a squeeze: A must-visit for weekend brunch, this Greektown staple has fresh squeezes on the daily, good for sipping on the spot or on the go.
You may know this neighborhood fave for its Greek-inflected breakfast and brunch menu. We’re talking scramblers, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, pancakes and waffles, plus vegan and gluten-free options (hello, polenta pancakes). But you’d be remiss in missing the juice bar, a pivotal portion of Meli’s menu. Beyond your standard OJ and apple juice (which are both available for traditionalists), Meli ventures into hearty meal-in-a-glass territory with juice blends such as celery-apple-carrot, mango-orange-kiwi-honey and wheatgrass-pineapple-apple-pear-lemon.
301 S. Halsted St., Greektown; Online: melicafe.com
Why it deserves a squeeze: This LA-based franchise has been blending juices and smoothies for twenty years so they know how to create a tasty and healthy treat.
Juice and smoothie lovers have flocked here for years for favorites like the G-Snap with ginger, carrot and orange and the ABC with apple, beet and carrot juices. They also have a good selection of smoothies, smoothie bowls and toasts.
Why it deserves a squeeze: You can get your juice with a side of vegan pizza.
Founded thanks to a Kickstarter campaign and named after owner Alexandra Curatolo’s pet French Bulldog, Belli’s brings healthy, local food to Pilsen. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a colorful menu with concoctions featuring fresh local and organic leafy greens for a daily dose of essential vitamins. For the more adventurous, there is even Kombucha on tap.
Why it deserves a squeeze: famed Chicago Chef, Paul Kahan, developed the menu.
Start your morning with a Mornin’ Buzz smoothie for you (espresso, cacao, peanut butter, macca powder, banana and dates) and cold-pressed juice or smoothie for your little sidekick. If you’re looking for something more substantial to go with your juice or smoothie, Left Coast has a complete menu divided into First Wave (breakfast), Greens, Grains, Wraps, and, of course, Kiddos.
2878 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Park & 151 N. Franklin, Loop; Online: leftcoastfood.com
As a mom of four, I find cooking to be such an amazing way to connect with my kids. And as they get older, I’ve realized that my little ones actually love to help me in the kitchen more and eventually the whole family ends up getting involved with the recipe! That’s why being in the kitchen together is such a fun way to bring families together—everyone can partake, get involved and reap the tasty benefits.
So grab your aprons, roll up your sleeves and get ready to try some of these family-friendly foodie ideas that will cultivate those magical moments with your family in the kitchen!
1. Look through cookbooks together or at recipes online and have your kids help you choose what they want to eat for dinners.
This also encourages kids to find new meals to try. As a family, we aim to choose one or two new recipes to try a week. Not only does this allow them to sample new dishes and cuisines, but helps them feel like they have a say in the family’s “menu” for the week. This is also a pro tip for parents of picky eaters and a great way to introduce new foods in a dish they’re excited about.
2. Have your kids help you meal plan and make shopping lists.
I ask my kids to write their own, which is a writing assignment in itself. Let your kids accompany you to the grocery store to look for any unfamiliar ingredients. If they are part of the process from start to finish, they’ll be much more inclined to try new foods.
3. Designate a day and let your kids help make something homemade that they can snack on all week after school.
I’ve found that if they help you cook or bake something, they are much more willing to eat their creations! These Apple Cinnamon Granola bars made with Juicy Juice are a recent favorite. The kids help me wrap them individually to have on-hand for lunchboxes and snacks.
4. Try a DIY dinner night.
Let each family member craft their own take on a meal. Some of our recent favorite meals have been taco bars, homemade pizza nights or even smoothie bowls for breakfast with toppings like granola and chocolate chips. Anything that you can ‘build or make your own’ so they can try new foods as toppings and, the best part, try everyone else’s!
5. My family loves a little friendly competition, so we like to turn mealtime and cooking into a game.
My 12 year-old really stepped up in the kitchen lately, so we did our own version of “Chopped” at home and got my husband and mother involved as judges. I need to step it up because his Soy Garlic Shrimp Sandwich with a Cilantro Radish Vinaigrette beat my Puff Pastry Lettuce cup with a Spicy Shrimp Slaw by one point! His love of food solidifies that all this time spent together as a family in the kitchen has spurred into something really special.
6. Try adding nutrient-dense sides, shakes, or formulas for days when all they’ll eat is mac-n-cheese.
Some days, it’s a real challenge to get kiddos to eat more than their favorite snacks. And that’s okay! Adding a formula like Kabrita’s Junior Nutrition Goat Milk Powder helps give you the peace of mind that they aren’t missing out on any vitamins or minerals. Goat Milk is especially easy to lean on since it’s nutrient-dense and has a mild taste for even the pickiest eaters!
And if (or when) there is a recipe or new food experiment that doesn’t turn out the way you expected? Don’t sweat it, just remember this: time in the kitchen is where memories are made. It’s where I remember spending my most precious moments with my mother and grandmother and currently…it’s where my family gathers, connects and decompresses. I know that my kids will always hold these experiences close in their hearts, no matter the outcome.
Mom and self-taught cook, Siri Daly is quickly leaving her mark on the entertainment-lifestyle landscape. She is the founder of Siriously Delicious, a popular food blog that chronicles real-life cooking and a former Food Contributor on the TODAY show where she still regularly appears as a guest chef for cooking segments.
Bath time may be their favorite evening activity and thanks to Dove Kids Care, there’s even more reason to look forward to this nightly tradition. Dove Kids Care just launched a brand-new collection of products for kids that include bubble bath, body wash and even slime wash. Read on for all the details and to discover why we’re positively ecstatic about this new collection.
Dove Kids Care’s newest line includes products that are designed specifically for kids. This means everything from the packaging to the ingredients to the products themselves are made for kids in colors, textures and fragrances they’ll adore. All products are paraben-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free and sulfate-free and designed for kids ages one year and up.
Your family will love that each bottle showcases illustrations of kids with positive statements like: “I am fantastic, smart and helpful” or “I am thoughtful, caring and fun.” These illustrations and positive affirmations align with Dove’s mission to make all kids feel represented and encouraged to embrace what makes them unique.
According to Dove’s US research, kids as young as three-years old can start to build self-esteem when they see themselves positively represented in the world around them. With these products designed with kids in mind, Dove is hoping to set kids up to have a positive relationship with their bodies.
The collection includes:
Dove Kids Care Bubble Bath, available in Coconut Cookie and Cotton Candy This bubble bath is anything but ordinary. It features a kid-friendly fragrance and creates a colorful bath for tons of sudsy fun. Available for $5.99 at Target.
Dove Kids Care Foaming Body Wash, available in Coconut Cookie, Cotton Candy and Berry Smoothie We love foaming body wash, especially when its nourishing and won’t dry out skin. This one checks all the boxes. It’s a hypoallergenic formula and is gentle enough for all skin types. Available for $5.99 at Target.
Dove Kids Care Slime Wash available in Berry Smoothie
As if bath time wasn’t fun enough already, Dove Kids Care just introduced this slime wash, which ups the bath time fun significantly. The wash starts out as slime and then turns into cleanser once they start lathering it up. Available for $5.99 at Target.
You’re used to dishing out snacks to feed those hungry bellies, but what if those snacks also fed and helped develop your kiddo’s mind at the same time? Cerebelly does just that. They are the first children’s food brand on the market that leverages developmental neuroscience to offer products with brain-supporting nutrients. We’re obsessed with their Smart Bars released last Ocotber and veggie-first pouches, and are eagerly awaiting their newest product: smoothie-inspired pouches. Read on to discover why savvy parents are excited about this new product.
Cerebelly is teaming up once again with Peppa Pig and this time they’re offering smoothie-inspired flavors for their newest product release. The brand tells us that like their original collection, this new product will also be veggie-first (versus fruit-first) to ensure kids are getting all superior ingredients in a delicious and naturally sweet way.
The veggie-first smoothie-inspired pouches will come in three new flavors: celery apple kiwi, purple carrot blueberry and sweet potato peach. Sip them straight from the pouch or serve on a spoon (we personally love mixing the original flavors with greek yogurt for breakfast).
As busy parents, we adore Cerebelly. While we’re not pediatric nutritionists, we’ve tried a lot of different kids snacks and found that Cerebelly’s pouches and smart bars have some of the lowest amounts of sugar we’ve seen. And, they’re delicious to boot (yes, we’ve tried them ourselves!).
We love that their pouches are veggie-first and that the ingredients are specifically tailored to your child’s development. When you sign onto the Cerebelly site, you’ll take a short quiz that asks what milestones your child has reached and then they’ll provide suggestions about what flavor combos are best for your kid at that moment in her brain development. They’re all about providing the right nutrients at the right time.
Find the new collection on cerebelly.com or at Whole Foods markets starting February 16, 2021. Cerebelly will donate 20% of each product run to Baby2Baby.
Get the scoop on the pros and cons of a baby food maker, along with our top picks
Your baby is six months old. You’ve made it through the newborn stage, and maybe they’re sleeping through the night. It’s time for you to tackle another big milestone—solid foods. At this point, you’ll need to decide whether or not to buy pre-prepared purees or make homemade meals, and if you ask other parents if you need a baby food maker, be prepared to get some strong opinions, both for and against. But have no fear, we’ll help you with the answer. Read on to find out if a baby food maker is right for your family and which brands we recommend.
Why Some People Love Their Baby Food Maker
1. Making your own baby food is cheaper than buying store-bought baby food, and more environmentally friendly since there are fewer jars and pouches to throw away.
2. You can control exactly what your child is eating, making sure you give them a variety of nutrients and limit sugar, salt, and preservatives. You can cook up fruits, veggies, meat, and fish in your baby food maker, with any herbs and spices you like.
3. By pureeing foods that the rest of the family eats, you introduce your child at an early age to flavors they’ll be eating as they grow up.
4. Baby food makers are built with busy parents in mind. Some operate one-handed, and they have timers so you can set them to steam or blend and walk away until the food is ready to eat.
5. They have more longevity than you might think. You can use your baby food maker even if your child doesn’t eat baby food purees. Use it to steam veggies or make mashed potatoes or applesauce for your baby or the whole family. You can also use it to reheat chilled foods.
1. Buying, washing, chopping, steaming, pureeing, and storing baby food takes time, and not everybody has that. You also need to carve out time to clean the baby food maker and the reusable containers you store the food in, as well as plan out your menus and find baby food recipes.
2. Baby food makers are usually compact, but they’ll still take up space in your cupboards or on your countertop.
3. If you spend a lot of time outside your home on errands or adventures, you need to find a way to pack and refrigerate the foods you bring with you and heat them up when it’s time to eat. Store-bought foods are often shelf-stable and you can buy more as you’re out living your life.
4. If you already have a steamer and a blender or immersion blender, you can perform the same functions of a baby food maker, just with a bit more clean-up since baby food makers let you steam and blend in the same container.
BÉABA Babycook Baby Food Maker and Blender, $160
This powerhouse prepares up to 4.7 cups of food in 15 minutes or less, so you can bulk-cook or prepare food like soup or applesauce for the whole family. In addition to steaming and blending, you can defrost and reheat foods to a comfortable temperature for the baby. The unit can be used one-handed if you’re holding your baby, and it comes with a spatula, mixing lid/smoothie filter, and a recipe booklet. The Babycook Neo ($260) comes with a glass bowl and stainless steel basket and holds 5.2 cups of food.
Baby Brezza Glass Baby Food Maker, $173
The Baby Brezza has a 4-cup capacity and three modes: steam, blend, or steam automatically followed by blending. For convenience, you can steam and blend in the same glass bowl without any transferring.
Tommy Tippee Quick Food Baby Food Maker, $80
This compact, budget-friendly option lets you steam and blend up to 7 ounces of food in the same container for convenience. There’s also an included basket you can steam in if you want to remove the steaming liquid and blend up a chunkier puree for your child.
Make sure to capture all those adorable first-food moments—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
Smoothie season is here! With so many fruits and veggies in season, it’s the perfect time to dust off your blender. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite healthy smoothie recipes that kids and adults alike will love. While you’re at it, get your little sous chefs involved in measuring out the fruit and learning how to make a smoothie. Grab some spinach, freeze a few bananas and read on to get started.
Brighten up your morning with this sweet-tart smoothie from Lemons + Zest. A little lemon zest gives it an extra pop of flavor, while a touch of flaxseed sneaks in some fiber. To get the recipe, click here.
This pretty smoothie from Perry’s Plate tastes like summer in a glass. It’s dairy-free and made with fresh mangos, frozen berries and a few other ingredients. Click here to get the recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Split Smoothie
Food Network
Your kiddos will love this "chocolate milkshake," which comes together with the help of Greek yogurt, bananas, peanut butter and hot chocolate mix. It's the perfect treat on a hot summer day. Hint: Serve icy cold!
Ingredients 2 tbsp peanut butter 1/2 frozen banana 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt 1/2 cup 1% low-fat Darigold chocolate milk 3 tbsp hot chocolate powder
Method:
1. Throw all the ingredients in a blender, and blitz until smooth!
Mango is the perfect summer fruit—so why not mix it up into a slurpable concoction? With just a little orange juice and ice, you'll have a tasty treat in no time. Hop over to Mummyology for the recipe, plus lots of other kid-approved smoothie ideas.
There's no doubt your kids will go crazy for this cake batter smoothie from Kendra's Treats. With cake mix and rainbow sprinkles, not to mention a surprisingly light list of ingredients (no ice cream here), what's not to like?
Flaxseed is super popular among health food nuts, and for good reason—it's got omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain development in kiddos and help maintain a healthy digestive system. This peach smoothie from Super Healthy Kids is the perfect way to introduce flax into your little one's diet without them even noticing.
If your kiddo loves honeydew melon, this smoothie from Artsy Momma is bound to be a home run. Add a little whipped cream and sprinkles on top, and your kids will think they're having dessert for breakfast!
We couldn't resist throwing a truly green smoothie into the list—after all, the foodie world is crazy for spinach-laden smoothies right now. Luckily, there's a way to make green smoothies appealing to the younger set. Mom Endeavors' clever recipe makes use of lots of fruit, a bit of spinach, and a few fun decorations to make a kid-approved treat perfect for a monster-themed party.
Rachel Chapman has been 7-year-old Curtis Rogers’ babysitter for a year and a half. She is currently a high school senior in North Carolina and like the rest of her graduating class will not be able to attend prom, graduation or any of the other traditional end of year celebrations. When Curtis realized that Chapman was missing out on these milestones he wanted to do something special for her.
Curtis’ mom, Elissa Rogers, has been using this time at home during the pandemic to teach him some of the bigger lessons in life, including showing empathy for others. When Curtis realized that Chapman would not be able to attend her prom, he suggested that he could throw a “mini-prom” for her, complete with her favorite foods, flowers and dancing.
Rogers explained what a “prom-posal” was to Curtis and they planned to surprise Chapman at their neighborhood’s graduation parade honoring the seniors.
Curtis held up a sign for Chapman as she went past. The sign read, “Mini-prom is not today, but will you join me on Monday?” Of course, she said, “Yes!”
In planning the event with his mom, Curtis had firm ideas on what foods should be served. Since Chapman and Curtis spend a lot of time together after school, they have shared many meals and snacks so he knew all of her favorite foods. The prom menu included a peanut butter and apple appetizer, Chick-fil-A for dinner, and Chapman’s favorite smoothie from Tropical Smoothie for dessert.
Keeping with the rules of social distancing, a 6 foot pool noodle was used to show how far apart the prom dates could be from each other.
Judging by the smiles on their faces, it looks like both had a very good time.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy of Elissa Rogers/Becky Chapman
Happy Birthday! If you’re celebrating the special day of a loved one, why not score some free birthday food while you’re at it? From free coffee to cake and even entrees, there are tons of restaurants that will let you eat for free on your birthday. Keep scrolling to see over 100 places that’ll help you celebrate.
Kids Only Freebies & Deals
Free Food
Barnes & Noble:Kids Club members can get a free cookie or cupcake when they visit the Barnes & Noble cafe.
California Pizza Kitchen: Head to your local CPK and sign up for CPKids Birthday Club. Members 12 and under will receive a free meal on their birthday.
Ruby's: Members of Ruby's Kids' Club can get a free shake on their birthday.
Benihana: Kabuki Kids members can snag a free souvenir mug when they redeem a special postcard they get in the mail and with the purchase of a kids meal.
Chuck E Cheese: Get 20 minutes of All You Can Play as a member of the More Cheese Rewards for your little's birthday, plus 100 free tickets to be used during the month of their half birthday.
Free Meals for the Entire Fam
Arby's: Sign up for Arby's email list, and get a coupon for a free shake the week of your birthday.
Auntie Anne's: Get a free pretzel during your birthday month by signing up for the Pretzel Perks rewards program.
A&W: Get a free root beer float on your birthday when you sign up for the A&W Mug Club.
Applebee’s: Snag a free birthday dessert coupon when you join the Applebee’s email club. Offer valid at select locations.
B. Good: Score a free side when you sign up for B. Good Rewards and a free meal on your birthday.
Baja Fresh: Sign up for Club Baja at least four days before your birthday and get a special treat, plus five dollars off your first order!
Boston Market: Sign up for the VIP club and get a free birthday dessert with the purchase of a meal on your b-day.
bd’s Mongolian Grill: Join Club Mongo and get a free birthday meal plus $5 off your next visit.
Bennigan’s: The e-club at Bennigan’s earns you a free entree with the purchase of an entree of equal or greater value on your birthday.
Biggby Coffee: Gulp down a free drink every year on the big day when you join Biggby Nation.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Joining the BJ's Premier Plus Rewards program gets you tons of freebies, including a free birthday pizookie!
Black Angus Steakhouse: Free steak? Sign up for Blank Angus' Prime Club and you earn a free steak dinner with the purchase of an entree on your first birthday as a member. After that, you'll be treated to a free Cowboy Cookie with the purchase of an entree every year after.
Black Bear Diner: The Bear Lovers eClub means you'll get a free breakfast on your birthday, plus a free bear claw and coffee when you sign up!
Blimpie: The Blimpie eClub will hand over a free six-inch sub with the purchase of a sub and drink on your birthday.
Bojangles: Join the Bojangles’ e-club, and nosh on a free Bo-Berry Biscuit on your birthday with any purchase.
Bruegger’s: Inner Circle members get a free bagel with cream cheese on their birthday.
Friendly’s: Join Friendly's BFF Club, and score a free medium sundae on your birthday.
Glory Days Grill: Victory Club members earn a free dessert on their birthday.
Godiva: Get a birthday chocolate offer every year on your birthday as a member of the Chocolate Rewards Club.
Houlihan’s: Join the email club, and get a free entree on your birthday in addition to $10 off your next order.
Huddle House: Join Huddle Perks, and get a free birthday dessert.
HuHot Mongolian Grill: Sign up for HuHot Rewards, and enjoy a free grill meal with the purchase of another meal on your birthday.
Iguana Mia: Come in on your birthday with a valid I.D. and get a free entree of up to $18 in value and fried ice cream at Iguana Mia.
IHOP: Register for MyHop, and get free pancakes on your birthday.
Jack in the Box: Sign up for Jack's email list, and you'll get a coupon for two free tacos during your birthday week.
Jamba Juice: Become a member of My Jamba Rewards, spend $15 worth of orders in your account, and get a free smoothie!
Jersey Mike’s: Get a free birthday sub every year when you sign up for Jersey Mike’s Email Club.
Juice it Up: Download the free Juice it Up! app and sign up for rewards to get a free medium smoothie on your birthday.
Kobe Steakhouse: Sign up for Kobe Rewards, and get a free chef hat and dessert, get a $15 off an entrée Friday and Saturday or up to $25 off a single entrée Sunday through Thursday during your birthday month. Must purchase another entree and only available in Florida.
Krispy Kreme: Enjoy a free birthday donut by signing up for Krispy Kreme Rewards.
la Madeleine: Get a free pastry or individual slice of cake on your birthday by signing up for la Madeleine rewards.
Lennys Grill & Subs: Sign up for VIP Rewards and earn a free 7.5-inch sub on your birthday.
Longhorn Steakhouse: When you're a member of LongHorn Steakhouse Rewards, you can enjoy a free dessert on your birthday.
MaggieMoo’s: Members of Slab Happy get a free b-day dessert.
Marble Slab Creamery: Get a delicious birthday treat for free on your birthday when you join Slab Happy.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Guests get a dessert of honor at McCormick & Schmick's when you celebrate the big day at one of their locations.
Mimi’s: Get a sweet reward on your birthday by joining Mimi’s E-Club.
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Moe Rewards gives members a free burrito on their birthday.
Noodles & Company: Sign up for Noodles Rewards, and get a free dessert.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Sign up for the eClub, and earn a free Bundlet on your birthday.
Olga’s Kitchen: Celebrate your b-day with Olga’s Legacy program, and get a dessert during your birthday month.
Olive Garden: Join the Olive Garden eClub, and get a free dessert on your birthday.
On The Border: Enjoy free Queso as a member of the Rewards Club on the big day.
Orange Julius: Join the Julius League, and get a BOGO free smoothie or Julius Original for your b-day.
P.F. Chang’s: During their birthday month, P.F. Chang's Rewards members get a free appetizer or dessert.
Papa John’s: Papa Rewards members earn 10 points for their day of birth, which is enough to use towards a dessert or bread side.
Peet’s Coffee: If you want a free beverage on your birthday, join Peetnik Rewards.
Pei Wei: On your birthday, pick from a free small plate or roll for your birthday as a member of My Wei Rewards.
Pinkberry: Download the Pinkberry app; sign up for the PinkCard, and get a free yogurt on your birthday.
You can plan your kid’s social calendar like a pro. But when it comes to ideas for date night with your spouse … eh, not so much. Get back into the swing of spending time with your partner by snagging a great idea for date night from our inspired list of everything from date night ideas for home to date ideas that are free. The good news is, some of them don’t even require a babysitter! Keep reading to see them all.
Score a skilled sitter. Having a successful date night is all about the sitter. Find one who can handle your kids’ nighttime routine, so you don’t have to wait till they’re down (and you’re totally exhausted) before you hit the town. Simply hand them off and head out, knowing they’re in safe and competent hands.
Schedule the year in advance. Your calendar is full of commitments, but is the much-needed date night on there? Approach date night the way you would any other scheduling commitment, and we bet you’ll get a lot more of them! Pick a consistent date—like the 2nd Saturday of every month, for example—then book your favorite sitter for that date every month for the whole year.
Schedule a parallel movie night. If your kids are old enough, head to the movies with them, but then ditch them … when you split up to see different movies. Drop them outside the theater showing the latest kids blockbuster before wandering down the hall to see your movie pick. Plan to meet up in the theater lobby when the movies are finished.
Have an amazing dinner, at home. If you can't get a sitter or if it's not in the budget, try creating a fancy dinner at home. A few nights before, decide on a menu, whether it's an old fave, something new you've been wanting to try (maybe it's not kid friendly), or attempt to re-create a favorite restaurant entree. Then, on the night of, feed the kids and make it an early night (for them). Cook up your meal, and enjoy it with wine and quiet time.
Hit the gym. Take advantage of your gym’s childcare center, and schedule a workout date with your mate. Go the distance with a machine workout or take a class together while you’re there. Don’t forget a boosted smoothie post calorie burn, pre-kid pickup, to add an air of romance to the whole affair.
Try a birthday party date. The next time your half-pint’s got a drop-off birthday party scheduled, take full advantage. Drop him off, then explore nearby shops, restaurants and sights with your better half.
Trade sitting duties. Barter babysitting duties with your neighbors or besties and everybody wins! Plan a date, make the kid trade and enjoy your night on the town. Next month, it’s their turn for date night. The best part? Sure, your kid-load has doubled, but they entertain each other!
Find a local Parents’ Night Out. Museums do it. So do kiddie gyms and play centers. Churches and synagogues too. Dial into your area’s Parents’ Night Out offerings and then sign up your crew. They’ll be infinitely entertained, and you’ll get some much-needed Q.T.
Try an upstairs/downstairs date. This one’s all about territory. Parents in one half of the house, kids in the other. Everyone gets to do their thing, in their space. Set a timer to help the kids figure out where they can be and when.
Develop a date night jar. If planning the date is what holds you up, wade into the creative mire once then reap the benefits every time you and your honey go out. Take time to plan out a ton of dates. Write down your zany ideas on small pieces of paper and keep them in a mason jar. Then when the date night itch hits, pull one out, and make it happen!
Go on a day date. You schedule lunch meetings with co-workers, so why not try it with your spouse? Put it in your work calendar; then make it happen. A breakfast date, after you’ve dropped the kids at daycare or school, works too. Let’s do lunch!
Meet up for a late date. Make a kitchen rendezvous with your S.O. once the kids are asleep. On the menu? A decadent dessert with drinks to match over candlelight. Shall we say 10 p.m., by the sink?
Challenge yourself with a purse dump. Planning isn’t your thing? No problem. Let the contents of your purse be your guide. Dump out your cash, count it up, then plan out an evening at that price. Only have 75 cents? It sounds like a scenic walk might be the perfect date at that price. Less than $5 in your wallet? Splitting a froyo it is! You’ll be surprised at how creative the two of you can be!
Use playdate time wisely. Sure, the dishes need to be washed and the laundry in the dryer is getting more wrinkled by the minute. But that can wait. It’s time for an impromptu date. Send your kiddo off to her playdate, then you do you—popcorn and a flick, cook a foodie fest—whatever you and your partner enjoy doing, now’s the time.
Meet in the mini-van. If your family vehicle has screens, then this is the date for you. Once the kids are asleep, head to the backseat with your favorite movie, buttered popcorn and a blanket for snuggling. Don’t forget the baby monitor in case you’re needed. Lights, camera, action!
Play a board game. This is a classic at-home date night idea that never gets old. Pick something that might be too advanced for your little kids, or play a good round of rummy, poker or any of your other favorite card or board games.
With winter comes that added chill in the air. Even if you live in a rainy climate, all those cozy fires and cranked-up heaters can really dry out your skin. These skin-savers are great for a quick solution to keep you looking your best without a ton of effort.
CELLrenew Collagen Infusion Serum
It’s anti-acne and anti-aging. Need we say more? Well, yes, it's not over drying so great for winter!
This little stick soothes under eye circles, polishes cheeks, treats shredded cuticles and tames flyaways. Oh, and it smells like a cookie. Great for travel.
Free of parabens, dyes, perfumes and more this little stick protects your lips from wintery weather and both indoor and outdoor hazards including pollution, blue light and infared heat. This little miracle balm will keep your lips kissable no matter the season. SPF 30.
From Gryph and Ivy Rose, this is high-performance, skin-saving balm that will change your winter hands, lips, face, nails, cuticles and even scars. Use as a spot treatment to get you through the dry winter months (and beyond).
The full collection of these luxe products include the Dreamsicle Cleanser, Mama's Lil Helper Papaya Enzyme Scrub, Night Night Cream, Sun Smoothie Natural SPF 45 and Mama's Miracle Oxygen Serum. The Mama Lé Full Collection 5 will set you back $304, but if you're looking for the ultimate skin-saving night cream, splurge on just the Night Night Cream. You'll wake up to softer, smoother,-looking skin after just one use. Safe for use during pregnancy and beyond.
