By Catherine McCord
Thanksgiving is my favorite meal hands down. When I’m planning dinner for our family, I attempt to make everyone’s favorite dish for them. For me, that’s roasted Brussels Sprouts , for my father-in-law it’s Maple Turkey, and for the kids it’s Orange Glazed Carrots. I like to keep the recipes simple and easy to ensure I spend as little time in the kitchen and as much time enjoying my family as possible.

Maple Brined Turkey (Makes 10-12 Servings)

Water1 Cup
Maple Syrup1 Cup
Salt (preferably kosher)1
12-14 Pound Turkey (defrosted if frozen)
1 Orange
1 Onion
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Halloween is a great time to have some fun with your kids in the kitchen. Here are a few easy, fun recipes to share with your family.

Spookie Grilled Cheese: What kid doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich. But this one up’s the Halloween anty by cutting out your favorite spooky shape in the middle making the perfect filling meal before the little ones head out for a night full of candy and fun.

Spookie Grilled Cheese (Serves 4)

Butter
8 Slices Pumpernickel or Dark Rye Bread
4 Slices Cheddar Cheese (more…)

By Laurie Searle
The school year is approaching and that means busier, bustling days.

We interrupt our regularly unscheduled summer vacations of carefree bonding with kids and return to the structure of school programs and extra-curricular activities.

It’s a sluggish notion to get back into the routine knowing there are few moments to spare for space, connection and fitness. Fitting in physical fitness is a challenge, but doesn’t have to be a long laborious‘to do’. Physical stimulation every day, as a family, releases stress and promotes mindfulness on the myriad of things grasping at our attention whether it’s calculus or dinner prep.

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By Sherly Shooshani Daneshgar, MS RD

America is facing a real epidemic. The incidence of childhood obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI) has tripled over the past forty years. Childhood obesity is a primary concern of the nation and the healthcare community. It is estimated that over 30% of our nation’s youngsters are overweight and 15% are obese.

The dichotomy of this situation is that while obesity is on the rise throughout the country, in our subculture of Los Angeles, we are obsessed with thinness. How are we going to help our kids find a balance? (more…)

It’s hot out and that means two things: a bounty of gorgeous, ripe,
organic produce at the Farmers’ Market and temperatures so high you want
easy meals that will give you plenty of energy. These recipes are a
perfect to keep you going from breakfast through dinner!

Strawberry Peach Smoothie (Serves 4)
1 1/2 Cup Strawberries
1 1/2 Cup Frozen Peaches
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 Tbsp Honey

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until s
mooth.
2. Serve. (more…)

Tips from a personal trainer and yoga instructor

By Laurie Searie
These days we’re all so busy that it’s easy to put your work-out low on the priority list – especially if you are a new mom. You’ve got a lot more to balance than just your own schedule. But it’s important now more than ever to set a good example and stay fit and healthy for yourself and your kids. Here are some great exercises you can do while taking the little ones to the park. It’s mommy-tasking at its best and it’ll take you from post partum to party girl in no time, all while bonding with baby.

You don’t need fancy gym equipment and blasting music to know you are burning calories and toning. Use the park time and your little one as your gym.

It might not actually replace equipment and dumbbells but it will be a lot more fun for you and your baby. (more…)

By Catherine McCord
It’s finally the time of year where moms get a day of pampering, love and hopefully some good food made for them! These recipes are so easy and delicious that even if your husband and kids rarely set food in the kitchen, they can pull these off! You can simply print these recipes out and have your kids prepare your surprise breakfast with their dad. (more…)

By Devin Miller
With more than 6 million kids in the U.S attending camp every summer, camp remains one of America’s favorite pastimes. Yet there is a new camp experience that has dramatically increased in popularity over the last decade – and that is the “specialty” camp. Never before have kids and teens had so many one-of-a-kind camp options to choose from. (more…)

By Lindsay Harris
I have been grocery shopping for over 15 years. It’s a weekly chore and for some it is not a favorite task. I, however, love grocery shopping. It’s partly because it is a form of shopping (I’m a bit of a shopaholic), but mainly because the little organizer in me loves the whole process that leads up to the weekly shop. (more…)

By Catherine McCord
I’m a total sucker for holidays. I love decorating, baking, and doing things as a family that reflect the happy spirit of whatever the holiday is for. Valentine’s Day always was THE Hallmark holiday to me, but now that I have kids, I have a whole new perspective on it and it’s even more fun celebrating love. (more…)