by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
I can confidently cook for nearly anyone, but one type of guest stumps me over and over: the little ones who come over to play with my kids. In fact, figuring out what to serve on my kids’ playdates is way more stressful than planning a party for 10 hungry...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
For most of us, the school year is all about “keeper” recipes. Dinners you can rely on. Easy sides that the whole family will eat. Recipes that make life easier and more delicious. We’ve shared some of our favorite weeknight dinners and best veggie...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
I consider myself a master meal planner, but there’s one thing that gets even me: veggie side dishes. That’s right, even I–the self-proclaimed Queen of Meals–am often stumped for creative vegetable dishes to serve to the family with my...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
Now that we’ve covered awesome school lunch resources and simple lunch ideas–it’s time to tackle dinner recipes for the kids. Here are six fairly fast dinner recipes sure to fit into your back-to-school routine, no matter how hectic. These...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
At some point this school year–sooner than you think–both you and your child will grow weary of the humble school lunch sandwich. It’s a known quantity, which is comforting some days, but not every day, right? So here are 9 easy school lunch...
by Julie | Food + Recipes
I love to throw parties for my kids, especially with inspiration from all the great party ideas here on Cool Mom Picks. In particular, I’m always on the lookout for activities where our guests can make cool stuff that they’ll actually want to take home...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
Many of my Cool Mom Picks comrades swear they prefer backpack shopping to planning school lunches, but I admit it: I enjoy the challenge of getting creative with packed lunches. Sure, I get in a rut sometimes, but a pantry full of go-to school lunch snacks helps keep...
by Melissa | Food + Recipes
Gee, another place to eat sweets, opening in New York City? That’s no big whoop. But when the new eatery serves up gourmet rice crispy treats (because Rice Krispy Treats would be a trademark issue, right?) in flavors like red velvet, birthday cake and caramel...
by Jeana | Food + Recipes
So here’s a chore I haven’t been missing this summer: packing endless school lunches. Argh! Trying to come up with variety and good nutrition for my kids drives me nuts. I’m already looking for new ideas for the coming school year, and I think...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
I admit it, I’m a bit of a loudmouth about the benefits of skipping juice for kids. Most options are packed with sugar–like 20 grams per single-serving box, nearly the same amount of sugar in a full-sized Hershey’s bar. Whoa! I know, I know. An...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
Soon I’ll be carrying on here about school lunch gear, packed lunch recipes, and the best after school snacks. So this week, I want to take in summer. I want to take it in the biggest, baddest way that I can imagine. This week, I want to forget the school lunch...
by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes
One of my favorite things about summer is dining al fresco. Backyard meals, beachside bakes, picnics in the park: you name it, I’m in. If you’re grilling your eats, try one of these delectable 8 summer BBQ recipes. But if you’re planning an outdoor...