×Before I ever got married and had children, I had certain things in mind that I wanted to do with my family and teach my children starting at a young age, and cooking was right at the top of that list. Preparing meals together not only strengthens family bonds, but it's also a very worthwhile educational activity for children. They get hands-on experience with math and science, hygiene, and literacy, and cooking also helps build fine motor skills and coordination. They learn about the importance of good nutrition, as well as gaining a sense of self-competence and personal responsibility.I...…×Before I ever got married and had children, I had certain things in mind that I wanted to do with my family and teach my children starting at a young age, and cooking was right at the top of that list. Preparing meals together not only strengthens family bonds, but it's also a very worthwhile educational activity for children. They get hands-on experience with math and science, hygiene, and literacy, and cooking also helps build fine motor skills and coordination. They learn about the importance of good nutrition, as well as gaining a sense of self-competence and personal responsibility.I...WW…

× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe summer heat has hit hard this year with temperatures well into the 90s and higher, and with the humidity factored in it’s downright unbearable some days. Though we use the slow cooker much less in the summertime, on days like this it’s actually a lifesaver. No hot stove, hot oven, or hot grill, just the slow cooker working its magic. Michael’s mom has used this slow-cooker pulled pork recipe for years and doesn’t know where she got it, but it’s an easy recipe. It’s slightly sweet, not smoky like our chipotle sauce, and a hit with the kids. During our last...…× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe summer heat has hit hard this year with temperatures well into the 90s and higher, and with the humidity factored in it’s downright unbearable some days. Though we use the slow cooker much less in the summertime, on days like this it’s actually a lifesaver. No hot stove, hot oven, or hot grill, just the slow cooker working its magic. Michael’s mom has used this slow-cooker pulled pork recipe for years and doesn’t know where she got it, but it’s an easy recipe. It’s slightly sweet, not smoky like our chipotle sauce, and a hit with the kids. During our last...WW…

× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeLeftovers for breakfast is a time-honored tradition around our house. I usually have some leftover brown rice or quinoa in the refrigerator, plus a few random vegetables from various meals, and the boys and I like to toss some of it together to make a healthy breakfast bowl on busy mornings. We just pull everything out of the frig and the boys start dishing up whatever sounds good to them. After they go off to school and I’ve gotten in some exercise, I head back to the kitchen to make my own breakfast, such as this quinoa bowl with fried egg, bacon, and...…× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeLeftovers for breakfast is a time-honored tradition around our house. I usually have some leftover brown rice or quinoa in the refrigerator, plus a few random vegetables from various meals, and the boys and I like to toss some of it together to make a healthy breakfast bowl on busy mornings. We just pull everything out of the frig and the boys start dishing up whatever sounds good to them. After they go off to school and I’ve gotten in some exercise, I head back to the kitchen to make my own breakfast, such as this quinoa bowl with fried egg, bacon, and...WW…

× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAll that wet, cool weather we had last week kept us indoors. Every time I had to go out, I got drenched and chilled. I was ready for the fall temperatures, just not eight inches of rain in six days. Thank you very much, Tropical Storm Karen. Staying trapped indoors for a week got a little old, but it was perfect weather for spiced dishes like this sweet potato, chicken, and spinach curry.Traditional Indian curries are often made with ghee, a type of clarified butter with a high smoke point. Like regular butter, it has a very small amount of lactose left over...…× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAll that wet, cool weather we had last week kept us indoors. Every time I had to go out, I got drenched and chilled. I was ready for the fall temperatures, just not eight inches of rain in six days. Thank you very much, Tropical Storm Karen. Staying trapped indoors for a week got a little old, but it was perfect weather for spiced dishes like this sweet potato, chicken, and spinach curry.Traditional Indian curries are often made with ghee, a type of clarified butter with a high smoke point. Like regular butter, it has a very small amount of lactose left over...WW…

× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThere is something about beans and rice that I find very comforting. We can make a whole meal out of a simple dish such as this. I like to eat black beans and rice just about any way, but Cuban beans are probably my favorite. The recipe is inspired by several that I've tried over the years, including one from Latin American Cooking Across the USA, by Himilce Novas and Rosemary Silva. This version uses more tomatoes than the traditional Moros y Cristianos, but we like the extra juice. Cooking in the slow cooker makes it a really easy meal.Recipe NotesYou can use...…× Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThere is something about beans and rice that I find very comforting. We can make a whole meal out of a simple dish such as this. I like to eat black beans and rice just about any way, but Cuban beans are probably my favorite. The recipe is inspired by several that I've tried over the years, including one from Latin American Cooking Across the USA, by Himilce Novas and Rosemary Silva. This version uses more tomatoes than the traditional Moros y Cristianos, but we like the extra juice. Cooking in the slow cooker makes it a really easy meal.Recipe NotesYou can use...WW…