For the past six months, the new online Parents community has been abuzz with advice on everything from breastfeeding to meal planning from our 50,000 amazing members. The ideas were so great, we had to share them in the magazine. Read on for mom-tested tricks that are sure to make each day simpler ...parents magazineroad tripsspritzaluminum foilguacamoleslathermilomamachicken breastscheddarbabygirls30 Tips for Moms from Momspeanut butter, and guacamole. We use pretzel sticks for forks. My 2-year-old loves it! -- Hko Dunking things in chocolate is a great way for kids to "cook." I set out toppings like frosting or sprinkles, and then just let my girls have at itFor the past six months, the new online Parents community has been abuzz with advice on everything from breastfeeding to meal planning from our 50,000 amazing members. The ideas were so great, we had to share them in the magazine. Read on for mom-tested tricks that are sure to make each day simpler ...These party-worthy cupcakes contain hidden fruit or veggies, good-for-you oils, and whole-grain flours.cupcakesmeredith corporationapplesaucechocolateLet Them Eat Cupcakes!degrees F for 13 to 17 minutes Unfrosted angel-food cupcakes have about 70 fewer calories apiece than typical yellow or chocolate ones. And your little fairies will like them as much. Makes: 24 cupcakes Bake: at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes CopyrightThese party-worthy cupcakes contain hidden fruit or veggies, good-for-you oils, and whole-grain flours.Gingerbread doesn't have to be complicated. Celebrate the season with these simple and adorable recipes, perfect for making with kids.meredith corporationcurdwhipped creamgingerbreadcupcakesEasy Gingerbread-Treat Recipeshours in the kitchen -- they're made using store-bought sugar cookie and gingerbread cookie doughs. These cherry and chocolate-filled cookies are a perfect go-to recipe for last-minute holiday baking: They come together in just thirty minutesGingerbread doesn't have to be complicated. Celebrate the season with these simple and adorable recipes, perfect for making with kids.It's important to monitor your caloric intake during the holidays so you remain within the pregnancy weight guidelines set by your doctor. Try these easy tips and ingredient substitutions to cut back while still enjoying your favorite treats. Tips courtesy of We Can! of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.meredith corporationevaporated milkcalories countvegetable oilcocoa powderextra caloriesSimple Substitutions for a Happy & Healthy Holidayholiday treats by replacing unsweetened baking chocolate with unsweetened cocoa powder. For every 1 ounce of chocolate, add 3 tablespoons of cocoa and 1even your kids will notice the missing chocolate! An easy way to save calories in richIt's important to monitor your caloric intake during the holidays so you remain within the pregnancy weight guidelines set by your doctor. Try these easy tips and ingredient substitutions to cut back while still enjoying your favorite treats. Tips courtesy of We Can! of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Looking for a fresh spin on the classic gingerbread house? Check out these festive projects to make with the kids.doughmeredith corporationsharp knifegummicookie sheetgift boxskittlesparchmentgingerbreadbarnAdorable Gingerbread ProjectsGingerbread Wreath, click on the link below. The projects in this slideshow were created and designed by Beth Kimmerle. Beth is a chocolate and candy expert and historian and is the author of four books documenting the history of America's confectionery industryLooking for a fresh spin on the classic gingerbread house? Check out these festive projects to make with the kids.Fill your kids' Halloween goody bags with these festive homemade treat recipes.banana breadbiscotticashewsHalloween Goody Bag Treatswith some freshly grated parmesan cheese. Kids will love the burst of flavor. Loaded with dried banana chips and milk-chocolate pieces, this party mix makes an ideal kid-friendly treat. Save yourself some pre-party stress by making this sweet gingerFill your kids' Halloween goody bags with these festive homemade treat recipes.You like to go out to eat. And you deserve to -- after preparing practically every meal, it's nice to let someone else do the cooking now and then. But where to go? Sit-down restaurants can be pricey, fast-food places are pretty limited and not exactly known for healthy fare. An alternative: “fast-casual” restaurants -- a hybrid of the two. You order at the counter and get your food quickly, but these places have a more varied menu, higher-quality ingredients, and comfier seating than typical fast-food joints. And they cost just a little more.nutritious foodhot dogsaturated fatvice presidentdel marpanera breadcheese pizzacorn chipsmarinara saucebaked potatoes10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants 2009Panera is also a great place to pick up a brownie or a chocolate-chip cookie because all of the bakery items are trans fatpacked mandarin oranges and a drink, such as low-fat chocolate milk. On Tuesday nights, there are family promotionsYou like to go out to eat. And you deserve to -- after preparing practically every meal, it's nice to let someone else do the cooking now and then. But where to go? Sit-down restaurants can be pricey, fast-food places are pretty limited and not exactly known for healthy fare. An alternative: “fast-casual” restaurants -- a hybrid of the two. You order at the counter and get your food quickly, but these places have a more varied menu, higher-quality ingredients, and comfier seating than typical fast-food joints. And they cost just a little more.Show off your newborn to friends and family with an adorable photo birth announcement. Check out a few of our faves.lemon treeshutterflypolka dotsmeredith corporationhip chicksmobypink elephantphoto montageargylesecret gardenPhoto Birth Announcements We Lovelittle one. Enchanted Woods by Tiny Prints; $1.99 for 125 cards; tinyprints.com Sprawling pink flowers pop off of this chocolate brown announcement from Lemon Tree Paperie. Secret Garden Blue by Lemon Tree Paperie; $2.23 for 150 cards; lemontreepaperieShow off your newborn to friends and family with an adorable photo birth announcement. Check out a few of our faves.Extra vitamins, just the right amount of calories, and easy to make -- these munchies are absolutely perfect for little kids and busy moms.parents magazinebiscottibanana breadmelted chocolatecrepespestocream cheeseSmart Snacks for Kidsdifferent kinds of fruit. Nutrition Per Serving: 99 calories; 6g fat Starry Chocolate Fruit Kids can help with this five-minute snack. Just set out the melted chocolate and let them dip in the fruit. Nutrition Per Serving: 134 calories; 8gExtra vitamins, just the right amount of calories, and easy to make -- these munchies are absolutely perfect for little kids and busy moms.Does he live on pasta or freak when you serve anything green? You really can get him to start eating better.baby carrotsspaghetti sauceparents magazinebraisingchicken nuggetssweet toothroast beefdolloplemon juiceveggiesBreak Your Kid's Bad Food Habitsto them. Maybe it's a one-sweet-treat-a-day policy or perhaps a couple of small goodies (like a small square of chocolate or a bite-size cookie). Whatever it is, be clear about it and give your kids some choice, says Tanner-Blasiar. ForDoes he live on pasta or freak when you serve anything green? You really can get him to start eating better.