Real Mom Nutrition
A no-judgments zone about feeding a family.
Going to Costa Rica with teens? Here’s our itinerary, what I’m glad we did, and what I’d do differently next time. Is Costa Rica on your bucket list? It was on mine for a long time. So after two years with little travel, I was ready to go big and finally make it happen. I’m …
Planning a trip to Sedona, Arizona? Here’s our day-to-day itinerary with lodging, restaurants, and hikes. My high school friends and I have gotten together once a year, every year, for the last 25 years (2020 was the only year that derailed us). Mostly we meet at each other’s houses, going for walks, eating out, and …
Whether you’re shopping for your kids, your best friend, your brother, or your mom, I have ideas for you! You know those people who are naturally gifted gift-givers? They make it look so easy. But we all know it’s not. There have been plenty of holidays when I was scrambling at the last minute, racing …
Are your kids always hungry before dinner is ready? Here’s a strategy for snacks before dinner that won’t wreck their appetites. There’s nothing more maddening at mealtime than sitting down to a dinner you’ve spent 45 minutes preparing only to have your kids push aside their plates because they’re already full. On pretzels. Navigating the …
Blessing Bags are a simple way to help others all year long–and involve your kids in a service project from home. This has been a tough year for so many. More people than ever are needing assistance. Food pantries have mile-long lines. And as I’m driving around, I’ve noticed more and more folks asking for …
Need gift ideas for the big and little people in your life (and maybe a present for you too?). Here are some ideas–in all price ranges. First things first: This is not just a random list of gift ideas. I actually have and love all of the items on this list–and in the case of …
Need a new book? Here’s a round-up of what I read and loved in 2020. If ever there was a year to lose yourself in a good book, it was 2020. I’ve never looked forward to escaping into a story as much as I did every night before bed this year. So if you’re looking …
Eating dinner together helps you feel more connected as a family. Here are some dinner conversation starters to make those meals memorable. Thank you to FMI Foundation for sponsoring this post! It seems like ages ago, but there was a time when “family dinner” wasn’t a given for every family, thanks to sports practices, school …
Replace paper towels, plastic wrap, and more with these reusable products for the kitchen that are better for the environment (and save you money!). I’m always looking for ways to be less wasteful around the house, whether it’s recycling and composting or stocking the kids’ drawers with hand-me-downs. Here are my favorite reusable products …
Are you looking for a good book that will really get your kid reading? Here’s a mega-list of 90 books for tweens and teens. What’s better than getting lost in a book, escaping into another world, and getting absorbed in a can’t-pull-yourself-away page turner? Answer: Seeing your kid feel that way about a book. I have …
Wish your kids did more around the house? Simplify your system. These chore sticks get your kids pitching in–and make it a lot easier on you. Does getting your kids to do chores feel like, well, a chore? That was my problem. I was intent on having kids who understood what it took to keep a …
The challenges of being homebound are many: bickering kids, feelings of isolation, and alternating bouts of stress and boredom. If you need a much-needed mental escape or a project to pass the time, I hope you’ll find some things here to help: Ideas for Books Books For Kids: Books My Kids Couldn’t Put Down Part …
