A Very Berry Sweet Valentine’s Day
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sweet; but raspberries, known as nature’s candy, are both sweet and heart-healthy! Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, raspberries boast health benefits such as decreasing risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Find more recipes at RedRazz.org. Raspberry Greek Yogurt Bark Courtesy of NourishRDs.com Ingredients 2 cups... Read More
Valentine’s Day Teacher Gift
Help your child give his teacher some much needed relaxation with a spa day… in a jar. Materials Mason jar, such as Kerr’s pint size Bath salts, such as ArtMinds bath salts Pencil Felt, red or pink Scissors Essential oil, such as ArtMinds Essential Oil Stress Reliever Red mini duck Scrap or decorative paper White glue Soap colorant, such as ArtMinds red Ribbon (red or heart... Read More
Simple Science Experiments: Refraction of Light
Ever see a rainbow and wonder where the colors are coming from? Or wonder why a person’s legs appear bigger or just off while standing in a swimming pool? With this two part “Simple Science Experiment,” you’ll learn about how light can refract or “bend” through different materials. Materials Tall cup (one you can’t see through) Penny Tape Water Wax paper Fine print... Read More
Quinoa Shrimp Salad
Quinoa, pronounced keen-wa, is a nutritious, wheat-free grain. It may be tricky to say, but it’s certainly easy to prepare and enjoy! Plus, quinoa has twice the protein content of rice or barley, and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamins B & E, and dietary fiber. Ingredients 2 soft spinach tortillas or regular whole wheat tortillas (10 in.) 2 cups cooked quinoa 1... Read More
How to Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange
“Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe called life.” ~ Unknown Cookie exchanges serve up two bites of goodness: a chance to share your favorite treats and fill others up with sweet holiday cheer. Nothing beats the afterglow of time spent with friends and a plate of homemade goodies! Coordinating a cookie exchange may seem complicated, but this handy... Read More
DIY Elf on the Shelf Apron Skirt & Shoes
The Elf on the Shelf leaped from the pages of its 2005 picture book to become a new Christmas tradition. “Scout elves” hide in homes to monitor conduct with an objective to report back to Santa at the North Pole. Parents enjoy the added encouragement to aim for “nice” behavior; while kids wake up each day excited to discover their Elf’s new location. Santa Claus always... Read More
Festive Popcorn Trees
Christmas has many edible traditions… cookies baked for Santa Claus, egg nog, gingerbread houses, popcorn garland, and roasted chestnuts. What if you combine two festive food traditions ─ popcorn and cookies? This recipe adds an unexpected pop to Christmas cookies! Ingredients | Yield: 10 trees 10 cups air-popped popcorn 1 10-oz. bag miniature marshmallows 2 tbsps. butter 1... Read More
Thanksgiving Place Card Holders
Add a touch of gourd-inspired glam to your Thanksgiving table! In just four easy (and budget-friendly) steps, you can create gorgeous gold place card holders. Gold isn’t your color? Pick another metallic or bold hue to accent your festive color scheme. Supplies Gourds [Either natural gourds from grocery store or foam and/or plastic gourds from craft store.] Gold metallic... Read More
Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving
Getting your family to eat heart-healthy, especially during the holiday season, takes effort! But the American Heart Association can help. Kick off the season by taking part in National Eating Healthy Day on Wednesday, November 4. Then, use AHA recipes to serve up delicious & heart-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. Mom’s Roasted Turkey with Butternut Squash and Asparagus Serves... Read More
Devilishly Delicious Halloween Treats
The devil made us do it… yes, we’re induldging in these red velvet cakes and loving every sinful bite. This recipe uses red food coloring mixed with chocolate cake batter to achieve a fiery hue. Red Devil Snack Cakes Ingredients | Makes 25 snack cakes Cake 1 cup Land O Lakes Butter 1 cup water 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2... Read More
Pumpkin Decorating Made Easy
10 No-Carve Approaches to Halloween Maybe you grew up carving Jack-o-lanterns and want your kids to experience this cherished Halloween tradition. Carving pumpkins can be a gooey blast for the whole family. But, for many, the sticky mess and time commitment can be among the most frightening elements of Halloween! Don’t be scared to try a simpler decorating approach. Just select... Read More
Water Drop Magnets
Homemade gifts of gratitude are ideal for grandma & grandpa, especially for Grandparents Day (September 13). These personalized magnets look like water drops, but create a familiar splash when filled with the faces of grandchildren. Supplies 1″ glass marbles with a flat side Pictures Hot glue Pencil Scissors Magnets Directions Place marble on top of a picture. Using a pencil,... Read More
Pizzoccheri Gratin
This soul-satisfying comfort food ─ which stems from Trentino, a beautiful mountainous region in Italy ─ is based on pantry staples (and kids’ favorites) such as cheese, potatoes, and pasta. The cheese choice is entirely yours, but the chef recommends using fontina, Brie, buffalo mozzarella, or other stretchy, ooey gooey cheese. Ingredients | Yield: 4 servings ½ cup salted... Read More
Easy Back-to-School Meals
Incorporate soy into your child’s diet for a change of pace Back to school time is a hectic transition for the entire family. Carpools, afterschool activities, and homework can make it difficult to incorporate wholesome meals into the day. However, it’s important to make sure your child is eating a nutritious diet to keep energy levels high and concentration focused in school.... Read More
Ice Cream in a Bag
It’s summertime and the weather is super hot. Your kids need a cool treat. Plus, you could use another activity to keep them busy, right? You can help them learn about the science behind ice cream! Here is a simple science experiment that will produce a tasty treat. Materials: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup half-and-half ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup ice cream salt Ice cubes 1... Read More
Independence Day Celebrations
Country star Martina McBride, known for “Independence Day” and many other powerful tunes, is ready to dish! Log onto OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com and enter to WIN Around the Table by Martina McBride, a cookbook filled with recipes & inspiration for gatherings throughout the year. All-American Backyard Burger Ingredients | Serves 10 to 12 5 lbs. ground chuck (80% lean) 3 cups... Read More
4 Easy Treats for the 4th of July
Everyone will be bringing something to the 4th of July picnic, but you can bring the grand finale. Each of these tasty sweet treats captures the flair of the 4th without the fuss. In just a little time, you can add patriotic color and fun flavor to classics like cupcakes, ice cream cones and cookies. Dipped Ice Cream Cones: Add color and crunch to your cones with a dip in red,... Read More
Seashells Candles
Transform your collected seaside treasures into beautiful candles! These homemade seashell decorations can add a beach-inspired touch to your home, and are perfect for summertime table settings. Materials & Tools Wax candle flakes Tea lights Seashells Glass container Pot Essential oils (optional) Directions Candle wicks: Pop tea light candles out of their metal tins and... Read More
DIY Chalkboard Lap Mat
These DIY chalkboard lap mats will keep kids occupied, entertained, and quiet when traveling in a car or airplane, or at restaurants. Supplies 1/2 yard of thin vinyl or washable fabric (Note: Craft tested using waterproof PUL fabric.) 2 felt squares for inner panels or 2 rectangles of scrap, 8×10 in. size Chalkboard fabric square, 8×10 in. Small scrap of 8-in. ribbon Trim... Read More
Chorizo and White Wine Meatball Tapas
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ve selected a delicious recipe that represents our editor’s mother-in-law and publisher’s mother ─ both of whom are from Madrid, Spain. By embracing classic Spanish ingredients, we’re traveling back to our family roots through cuisine! Ingredients 2 slices of bread, crusts removed 1/3 cup white wine 4 ounces chorizo, uncooked sausage 1 pound... Read More
DIY Tug Toy
Don’t toss that old t-shirt! Snip it up to make a simple tug toy for your furry friend. Every dog loves to play both fetch and tug-of-war, so this craft combines the two in one DIY toy. Supplies 1 old t-shirt 1 tennis ball scissors Instructions Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface and mark off your cuts. You’ll want to make two pieces that are... Read More
