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The Perfect Summer Ice Pop

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Screen shot 2011-06-16 at 12.40.06 PMNo doubt about it, once the mercury starts rising, nothing gets kids smiling more than a cold, lickable popsicle—except maybe one that they’ve helped you make at home. And what could be more seasonally appropriate than using these beachy-keen sailboat, rocket, and sandcastle molds? Icy treats, Ahoy!

(Set of six,$10; uncommongoods.com)

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Get Free Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry’s!

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

p_101534833Few things in life are as wonderfully delicious as ice cream—except when it’s free, that is. Well, we’re happy to report that today, April 12th, is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s. Scoop Shops across the country will be dishing out both new and classic flavors free of charge from noon to 8pm. So grab your coworker for an post-lunch snack, or stop by with your kids after school for a yummy Wednesday surprise. Click here to find a location near you.

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Tags: | Categories: Entertainment, Food, Holidays

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Have a Healthier Holiday

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

If you think having a happy holiday means bumping up a dress size, think again. We talked to registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward about ways to be merry while still being mindful of your health in the upcoming weeks. Here are her tips.

  • Make swaps in recipes to help cut fat and calories. Ward replaces half of the oil her recipes call for with apple sauce, and says that any pureed fruit (even baby food!) can work for that substitution. You can also reduce the amount of sugar in baked goods by a few tablespoons without changing the taste drastically.
  • Never go to a party famished, or you could make bad buffet decisions. Before you head out, eat a snack that contains protein and complex carbs, like a boiled egg and whole wheat crackers or yogurt and a slice of toast.
  • But at the party, don’t drive yourself crazy about what you can and can’t eat. “After all, we don’t have egg nog and gingerbread cookies around all year!” says Ward. Just be conscious of your portion sizes. (Find out what a smart portion size looks like here–it’s a great guide to stick to the fridge.) And just because something is delicious doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. Holiday faves like nuts, cranberries, sweet potatoes, chocolate, even that egg nog all have healthful properties.
  • Another thing not to beat yourself up about? Slacking off on your exercise routine. “The holidays are really hectic, so I don’t get to work out as often or as hard as I usually do,” says Ward. ” But then I notice myself running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and I have to remember that climbing up and down those stairs ten times is activity, and all activity counts.” Wondering how much time you spent moving between power shopping through the mall, taking the kids caroling and helping hoist the tree from the farm to the car to the house? Check out the Activity Snack app from Hershey’s Moderation Nation, which helps you track those small bursts of exercise.

Share your tips for healthy ways to enjoy the holidays!

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Study Says Light Drinking in Pregnancy OK — Would You do it?

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Another day, another study and opinion about drinking during pregnancy. This time, the word comes from London, and it says that light drinking (one to two drinks per week) may not have any effect on kids. The study found that the now-5-year-olds of light-drinking mums actually did slightly better than the offspring of non-drinkers on tests of vocabulary and the like. (Anything beyond light drinking, though, and the kids did much worse in testing. So the emphasis is most definitely on the light.)

What’s your word? Would any amount of research convince you to take a sip or two? Or were you already on board (make that, off the wagon)?

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Summer Faves

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Here are three (admittedly random) things that I’ve come to love this summer.

1. Quinoa. I’d been hearing about this high-protein grain-like seed for a while, but I first made it  when I was trying to recreate a delicious salad I’d had at a restaurant (quinoa, chicken, edamame, toasted almonds, and diced dried apricots in Caesar dressing over baby spinach). This kid-friendly food (that’s a picture of it growing) is a healthy alternative to pasta, rice, or couscous and it’s so versatile (hot or cold). I’ve started cooking a batch in the morning, sticking it in the fridge, and then figuring out what to do with it when I get home from work. Here are some recipe ideas.

2. Kindle app for my iPhone. I downloaded the Kindle for iPhone after I tragically left my Kindle on a plane, but now I barely miss my larger e-reader. It can be such a challenge for moms to find time to read books, but now that I have books on my phone, I just pop it out of my purse to sneak in a few pages whenever I get a chance. Even though the screen is small, you can enlarge the font size so that it’s easy to read. You turn pages with the flick of a finger. You don’t need to own a Kindle to use the app—and if you happen to have a Kindle, your iPhone will automatically synchronize the last page you read on either device. Brilliant.

3. Slub shirts. This fabric (the dictionary defines “slub” as “a roll of fiber, as of wool or cotton, twisted slightly for use in spinning”) is so cool and comfortable, but I know I’ll be wearing mine all year long. It’s the first shirt I pull out of the pile of cleanly-washed laundry every week. I have a short-sleeved and long-sleeved one from JJill, but am keeping my eye out for others.

What are your favorite mom/kid finds of the summer?

photo via

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Modern Gingerbread

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

2009-12-homettaCrafting ornaments is so much fun…and stringing popcorn garlands, yeah, that’s great too. But seriously, there is nothing more fun than making a gingerbread house this time of year. When I spotted this super-mod construction on Ohdeedoh, I swooned.

If you are so inclined to strap on your pastry toolbelt, then you can download the “plans” here.

Happy baking…I mean crafting…I mean building!

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Share Your Best Mama Tip!

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

23912994_8a0b5eb062 Got a great tip or trick that makes your life easier? Tell us about it and you could be featured in Parents magazine!

Whether it's a surefire way to get your picky eater to eat her veggies, a simple organizing solution, a clever way to keep kids busy on long car-rides, or the perfect go-to present that's a hit with every child, we want to know our readers' best nuggets of homegrown advice! It can be about anything—so go on and share! To add yours, go to our new community site. We can't wait to read your amazing tips!

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Spankin’ New Headlines

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

News Image NEW One in five kids had flu-like symptoms this month, according to a CDC survey. Washington Post

Costume shopping this weekend? Take care when choosing face paint. USA Today

Pregnant women must read! Get your H1N1 shot. New York Times

Boys vs. girls. Sex can affect the outcome of twin pregnancies, finds a new study. HealthDay

Car seats are a safety must, in the car, but outside the car they can pose dangers. Reuters

Want a pet? Don’t mess with small turtles. Yahoo! News

Fewer calories, less sodium, more veggies. An Institute of Medicine panel calls for an overhaul to the school lunch program. Los Angeles Times

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