Holidays

When Kiddos Are Confident They’re Contributing

When Kiddos Are Confident They’re Contributing

Cooking can be a chore. It can be a necessity. It can be a love. Whatever outlook we take on time in the kitchen, our kids pick up on it. That much I’ve been confident in for some time. But I recognized something else — something a little deeper — recently.

Trick-or-Treating with Food Allergies

On Halloween night, my son had his first trick-or-treating experience. My husband and I hadn't mentioned it until it was clear he knew it was a thing — honestly, we weren't sure we really wanted him to participate. As a child with food allergies, there are very few candies he can have. Plus, we aren't wild about introducing him to more opportunities for sugar.  But he was fully aware that people would give him candy if he just rang the doorbell and asked. I was trapped.

Oh Good. Another Junk Food Holiday (aka Ideas to Make Halloween About More Than Candy)

I love the holidays. Yes, I love Christmas and Thanksgiving. But I even love the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Holidays are an opportunity for fun and traditions. But I have a beef with holidays where junk food is a key component. (I’m looking at you, Valentine’s Day!) And Halloween falls into that category.

Navigating Junk Food Holidays When You Have Food Allergies

Navigating Junk Food Holidays When You Have Food Allergies

One upside to food allergies is that we're not tempted by a lot of sweets — because he can't have a lot of sweets. But on the other hand, food holidays (and in particular, junk food holidays like Valentine's Day, Easter and Halloween) contribute to allergy parents' anxiety.

Yes, It's Time to Think About Next Thanksgiving

Congratulations! You have hosted a glorious and delicious Thanksgiving meal. (Or, hey, maybe you just barely survived — that deserves props too.) And hopefully, the dishes are almost done. If you are like us, it takes a few days to get caught up on all the dishes and cleaning  and leftovers.

But you're not quite "done" with Thanksgiving.

If you hosted or cooked anything at all for Thanksgiving, there is one additional task that I'd like to recommend from one home cook to another.