Recipes

Making a lunch for your child to bring to school is one of the most important everyday tasks we do as parents. Our goal? To pack a nutritious meal — fast. Enter your new favorite secret weapon: Skout Organic, a line of organic kids bars that are plant-based, made with 7 or fewer simple ingredients, and come in kid-friendly flavors like Apple Pie and Blueberry Blast. Lunch boxes every where will thank you.

Ask any mother – working woman or stay-at-home mom, contented chef or takeout pro – busy families need meal inspiration. Use the Local Mom’s Network meal-planning guide to get breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table simply and easily. In this installment, we look to Trader Joe’s for their delicious, cost-effective, and quick food choices.

Sarah Wragge is a Local Moms Network contributor; she is also a holistic health coach and founder of her eponymous Sarah Wragge Method. She wants you to know that plant-based eating is her ticket to energy, glowing skin and good digestion.

This easy potato dish is just a little bit of an upgrade on classic roast potatoes. Use it to introduce picky eaters to new flavors, or for your next dinner party. Thanks to our food contributor CatwithaK Cooks for sharing this go-to recipe!

Martinis can be shaken, or stirred, depending on your preference, but one thing’s for certain: they’re always best served cold. “Freezer martinis ensure this,” says Leigh Hansen of Habitual Hostess.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We love a good snack board, and one that’s cute enough for a party and gets our kids to eat more veggies? That’s like finding a pot of gold. The BakerMama’s Leprechaun Snack Board is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

These no-bake Almond Butter Truffles are a hit with kids but sophisticated enough for grown up palates, too. Love that the only equipment you need is a hand mixer and a microwave, so you don’t need to be a pastry chef to play one in real life. Enjoy!
Thanks to Katina Moutanos, the founder of Kosterina, a high-quality line of olive oil, vinegar, chocolate and more, for sharing. 

A salad you can prep ahead makes weekday lunches or dinners come together quickly. This kale salad from Kathleen Ashmore is served with a super-easy homemade hummus dressing (just combine hummus, olive oil, lemon and salt).  Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein and enjoy all week long!

Valentine’s treats like these Marshmallow Heart Lollipops from South OC Moms are both an activity for kids to help with and a festive snack. Happy Valentine’s Day, Moms!

Feeding our kids and introducing them to new and healthy foods can feel like a part-time job in and of itself. A new book from food stylist, photographer and private chef Aliza J. Sokolow, THIS IS WHAT I EAT: Fun Activities for Mindful Eating is full of activities, journal pages and other fun ideas that will help your kids become great eaters.