Mangoes and refreshing beverages, two of my favorite things on a hot summers day. They were practically made for each other, and it’s like mango lassis were invented just for me. Except everyone seems to really enjoy them too. It’s almost like drinking a milkshake, only way better for you. Filled with fruit and an unsweetened yogurt, I mean, you’re basically doing yourself a favor for having one. I see them on menus at Indian restaurants, and they taunt me, don’t they know I would so order one every time, if they just made them without the dairy?...

When can a baby have milk? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce cow’s milk until baby has turned 1, or at 12 months. This is because unlike the proteins in dairy like yogurt and cheese, the ones in cow’s milk are harder to digest. Cow’s milk also contains a large amount of proteins and minerals, which can stress a baby’s kidneys. It may even cause iron-deficiency anemia if given in large quantities....

Dessert for Kids I know firsthand that it often seems like the kids are getting so many treats, and that they’re eating more treats than regular food. Plus, there’s the fact that desserts just taste good, so kids tend to prefer eating them to more regular foods. It makes sense, but of course it’s not very helpful when it comes time for dinner. But it can actually help to reduce the amount of time you spend negotiating and listening to fussing and obsessing if you regularly serve dessert right along with dinner....

Activities for One Year Olds After three kids and three one year olds, I can say with confidence that I adore this stage of toddlerhood! But alas, with short attention spans, only partially developed communication skills, and a loose understanding of boundaries and limits, this phase can also be really hard when it comes with keeping the kids busy. To help, this list of more than 100 ideas includes classic activities to remind you of the simple ones you might have forgotten about, new ideas for sensory play, easy outdoor activities, fun indoor activities, art projects and more....

From Braised German Red Cabbage to Pickled Purple Cabbage to Purple Rice, we have it all! I just know you’ll find a new favorite dish down below. Best of all, we have recipes for every diet! Even if you’re vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, or gluten-free, there will be an option for you. You have to check them out! What are you waiting for? Start cooking! Purple Cabbage Recipes: 1. Moo Shu Chicken If you haven’t tried Moo Shu Chicken at home yet, you’re missing out on this famous Chinese stir fry....

Last year our girls’ former preschool was doing a fundraiser selling frozen pies. It’s been a while since they went to that school, but we loved it so much and still keep in touch with some of their teachers, so we try to support when we can, and I’m always game to try new pie flavors. I bought a couple of pies, but the one that caught my attention most was the apricot pie....

Baingan bharta is a smoky roasted eggplant Indian subzi (vegetable dish). It has to be one of the most delicious ways of preparing eggplant. Traditionally the eggplant would be cooked in a charcoal oven, but in our western home kitchens you’re more likely to cook it over a bare gas flame, under the broiler, or on a grill. In this dish, eggplant gets cooked until it’s so tender that it just melts away in your mouth, and I simply adore the smoky notes it gets from grilling and those crisped skins....

This Baja Fish Taco Recipe will change your life! If you have never had a really good fish taco, you have been missing out. Big time. These homemade Baja Fish Tacos are so delicious with the most wonderful balance of flavor and texture you can imagine. They’re also very simple to make, so this recipe really is a must-try! Baja Fish Tacos originate in California, or San Diago, to be precise....

A while back, I got nostalgic for one of my favorite soups from childhood, beef and barley. Alpana had never had it but was eager to try. I asked her if she wanted to try Campbell’s or Progresso, both of which I grew up on. She said neither. So, that means no effortless dinner for me… But, I guess that’s what it is being a food blogger. Gotta works for those meals....

Boiled Green Beans This super simple green bean recipe is our go-to since it’s lightning fast and is consistently so delicious. It’s also a great texture for kids and adults and can be paired with a whole range of types of meals. They are one of our very favorite ways to eat cooked green beans. We love to cook vegetables in all sorts of ways, but this is a classic recipe that’s a staple because it’s seriously simple—and delicious....

Best Independent Bookstores Buying from small bookstores is a great way to send money into local economies, support small businesses, and use your money to support businesses you want to stay open. This list includes some of the ones my readers (and my own family!) love to help make it easier for you to find one near you. TIP: This list is by no means comprehensive, but it is a start....

How to Make a Brined & Smoked Turkey Make your brined & smoked turkey using an electric smoker which makes it super easy! Which means you have more time to relax or work on the rest of your Thanksgiving dinner or holiday meal! I don’t mean to come down on any of the other methods of turkey preparation with this post. Turkey is the centerpiece of most every Thanksgiving meal and I have had some incredibly delicious oven-roasted and deep-fried versions over the years, so I’m definitely not knocking on those....

After making Peach Crumb Bars and Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, I knew it was time to make a blueberry version—especially when I had too many fresh ones one week that needed to be used up. This recipe is my favorite because it’s allergy-friendly and the crust is so simple to make. Plus, you don’t need to precook the fruit or do anything fussy to it, which makes it even better! These Blueberry Oatmeal Bars can be served as a toddler snack, an easy dessert, or as a kids breakfast recipe....

We never like to skip breakfast! Some of our other favorites are Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches, and My Favorite Breakfast Burritos! Breakfast Frittata: What is a frittata? A frittata is an Italian-style omelet. The Italians aren’t the only ones to have their own version of an omelet – there is a Spanish version made with potatoes called tortilla española, or Spanish tortilla. Each dish is slightly different, but they are all basically an egg scramble with savory fillings and they are delicious!...

With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up your own homemade Caesar in no time flat. You’ll never go back to that overpriced bottled stuff again. It’s rich, creamy, and absolutely pops with flavor. Give this one a try tonight! Perhaps there’s no more famous salad in the world than Caesar. It goes with everything from Steak to Spaghetti, Ribs to Pot Pie. Maybe that’s what it’s on every restaurant menu in the universe!...

Paul’s favorite fruit desserts always have apples in them, from German apple cake to apple hand pie cookies. So these rich, sweet cheesecake bars filled with thoughtfully spiced apples and topped with crumb topping and caramel were inevitable in our household. Inspired by our hugely popular caramel apples and caramel apple pie, this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe captures the magic with layers of buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, cinnamon-kissed apple filling, and a sweet caramel drizzle—perfect for a dessert recipe you’ll crave all year!...

After years of making my go-to Cheesy Rice with cauliflower, I wanted to share this version with broccoli since it is just as good. And the classic combo of broccoli and cheese is one that always goes over well in my house—well usually, anyway! With nutrients, creamy texture, and ultimate cheesiness, this one-pan dish is a great vegetarian main or an easy side dish. You can make cheesy broccoli rice ahead of time and heat it up in the moment....

A large bowl of stew or curry on my table is something I look forward to at the end of the day, and this Chicken Caldereta is no exception… I guess old habits die hard. Somehow I had never been in the vicinity of good Pinoy food. Thanks to my son, I finally tasted some of their delicacies. Noah decided to come into this world two and half months early, in Las Vegas of all places!...

Chicken breasts are a go-to protein for us when deciding what to make for dinner. Some of our other favorites using the humble chicken breast are a BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad, Chicken Stroganoff, and Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo! It’s touted as one of the most popular menu items at the Cheesecake Factory. Once you’ve tasted a bite it’s easy to see why! When I heard National Cheese Lover’s Day was coming up, I decided it was a holiday I most definitely needed to celebrate....

Creamy Apple Cider Chicken Skillet This may just be my new favorite fall meal. It’s got some pretty fantastic qualities – caramelized apples and onions, juicy seared chicken, and the aroma of apple cider and fresh thyme wafting up from the skillet. Plus, it’s easy, quick (about 30 minutes from start to finish), wholesome, and totally delicious. I’ve been craving this dish like crazy ever since I made it and it will be on repeat for all of apple season, I’m sure....