6 ways to entertain kids in restaurants without (gasp) pulling out a screen.

by PJ Feinstein | Tips + Tricks, Toys + Playthings

The very first thing my son does when we sit down to eat at a restaurant (well, after ordering both ice water and milk) is ask for my iPhone. I’ll admit that I’m often tempted to hand it over because it’s such an easy way to keep him entertained while we’re...

The baby booster seat you’ll be sad to outgrow.

by Esther Chen | Baby

As you might imagine, we see a lot of baby gear ’round these parts (yes, I’m still a southern girl at heart) and that includes all kinds of booster seats. But the new Mamas & Papas Baby Bud booster is worth a look for several reasons, not just because...

9 spectacular one-pot recipes for dinner that everyone will love. Especially those on dish duty.

by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes

Great one-pot recipes are a family dinner lifesaver — so long as they are truly a one-pot meal. As in, no cheats. These recipes are, and they are amazingly delicious, too. If you ask me, every parent should keep a list of recipes like these on hand at all times....

Silispoon: Possibly the new best baby spoon

by Kate Etue | Baby

Ahh, the teething phase. Which is only made worse by the fact that it occurs the same time as the baby food phase. My kids liked to soothe their aching gums by biting down on their spoons, but even the plastic ones couldn’t have felt that great. That’s why...

8 easy slow cooker dinner recipes to help beat those long winter nights

by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes

It may not be frigid everywhere, but I think it’s safe to say that plenty of us are winter weary and as done with cooking as we are with gloves with scarves. This last stretch of the cold weather (and the exhausting lack of daylight) is a perfect time to let your...

7 fantastic food blogs to follow for family food inspiration beyond the usual

by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes

I recently tried to figure out how many food blogs populate the internet. The answer: A lot. I couldn’t find an exact number—not a recent one, at least—but it’s big enough to demonstrate that yes, there can be too much of a good thing. With so many food blogs to...

The Happy Mat that saved mealtimes

by Esther Chen | Kitchen + Dining

My toddler seeks out new ways daily to make mealtimes all stress and all mess. Food on the floor, “non-slip” mat thrown in the air, liquids everywhere–you name it, he’s done it. It’s more than the OCD in me can handle some...

6 chicken soup recipe variations to warm your bones and excite your palate

by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes

’Tis the season for chicken soup, a magical elixir said to be good for the soul and known to boost your immune system. You can never go wrong with a classic chicken soup recipe, especially when you’re feeling under the weather (the chicken noodle soup we spied on...

4 easy, semi-homemade pasta dinners that taste great, save time, and don’t have a single artificial ingredient.

by Stacie Billis | Food + Recipes

As someone who develops recipes professionally, you’d think that I’d always have a plan for feeding my family dinner. Just like everybody else, though, the busier I get, the harder it is to get dinner on the table. Thanks to natural brands like Three Bridges (who is...

10 simple, time and money-saving grocery shopping tips, just in time for the holidays

by Cool Mom Team | Tips + Tricks

We’re always looking for ways to save time and money grocery shopping, especially during the holiday season when we’re all feeling stretched thinner than usual in every way. We’re spending more on holiday gifts and family travel, and even...