Whether I was anticipating the unknowns of labor and delivery or wondering how I would adjust to my new life as a mom or even debating baby names with my husband, it’s fair to say there were few things I knew to be certain while pregnant.  However, in spite of all that, there was one thing I always knew to be certain: I would make my own baby food!  For me, this was a no-brainer.  As a former culinary student who spends the majority of my free time burie...

Posted on April 15, 2013 at 6:00 AM by Colleen O'Laughlin

Can’t get your kids to eat anything healthy? Is their idea of a snack chips, cookies or candy? Do they think healthy food isn’t any fun? Finding creative ways to entice the kids can definitely be a challenge. To help ease the pain, here are a few quick and healthy snack ideas from Stephanie Jensen of La Cuisine Personal Chef Service in Chicago. 

Dipping:

APPLE DIPPERS: Dip apple slices in maple syrup or honey and roll with your choice of shredded coconut, oats,...

Posted on March 20, 2013 at 6:00 AM by Stephanie Jensen

Oh Sweet Dinnertime!

Is dinnertime at your house fun or frustrating?  Children under the age of 6 can be picky eaters and, according to experts, they don’t grow out of it until around 8 or 9 years old.  This is part of normal development but it can be very challenging.  Once you throw after school activities and homework into the mix, all you want is dinner to be quick, easy, delicious and less stressful.  For many families, the success of dinnertime can often...

Posted on February 07, 2013 at 7:00 AM by jodi hamilton

Ahh…the early days of being a new mom. Whether it’s your first or you have others, it can be an overwhelming time! Even though it’s natural to think about your baby first, it’s also important to take care of yourself. I learned that the hard way.

My daughter is two, but I can still vividly remember being up at 4 a.m. for a feeding, starving and exhausted. I remember opening the refrigerator with one hand, the baby in the other, trying to figure out what I c...

Posted on January 18, 2013 at 6:00 AM by Merav Benson

The winter months in Chicago always guarantee several things: cold, snow and long dark days. As parents we say goodbye to our outdoor hangouts and prepare to stay cozy indoors for what seems like forever. To make those frosty winter afternoons more tolerable and more fun, my two daughters join me for culinary creativity in our kitchen.

I’ve always loved wholesome food and cooking, even before my kids were born. When they were old enough to help in some small way, they assisted me...

Posted on December 28, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Carly Ubersox

When I walked in the door one recent evening, my kids were ready for an activity! My son suggested we bake sugar cookies! With the holidays right around the corner, this is the perfect sweet treat! My family is a chocolate house; however, this sugar cookie recipe is sure to please even chocolate lovers.

My son used his warm hands to soften the butter (until he said the butter was too mushy and gross) while my daughter poured in the ingredients. They fought over the rolling pin, but the...

Posted on December 12, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Healthfull Ever After

Whether you are training for the Strollers in the Front 5K Walk/Run or a standard marathon day of chasing kids, fueling in the beginning of the day is going to help keep your energy levels sustained so your kids don’t out run you.  By front loading your nutrients early, you’ll be less tempted to eat simple, refined carbohydrates during the mid-afternoon crash.  Eating breakfast not only helps with weight loss, it offers you an opportunity to get in many of your major ...

Posted on October 18, 2012 at 7:00 AM by Jasmine Jafferrali

Fall arrived quickly! Cold early mornings produce lots of cozy baked goods in my house. After watching Dora the Explorer, both my kids beg to bake chocolate chip cookies almost every morning. To add a seasonal healthy twist to chocolate chip cookies, I use pumpkin instead of butter and whole wheat flour instead of white flour. These heavenly cookies are moist and delicious!

I like to turn baking into an activity for everyone in the family to participate in. My son stirs the ingredients...

Posted on October 12, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Healthfull Ever After

Having a baby can be extremely overwhelming. And it’s natural for us to think of the baby first and ourselves last. The irony is that we need to take care of ourselves so that we can be the best moms and dads!

When my daughter was first born, I can’t even tell you how many times I found myself starving at random hours in the day and staring at an empty refrigerator (when was the last time I was able to go grocery shopping or actually cook a meal??). What I’d end up do...

Posted on September 20, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Merav Benson

I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have a split personality.   One is Everyday Taylor (the practical one) and the other is Fantasy Taylor.  My fantasy self wears high heels, has a spotless house, and, even though the CTA is my personal chauffeur, I get everywhere 10 minutes early.  My everyday self knows high heels hurt, the house just passes inspection, and that I’m always running 10-15 minutes behind.  Occasionally, the lines get blurred and Fantasy Tayl...

Posted on September 17, 2012 at 6:00 AM by Taylor Dyer