Nosh

I'm not one for baking with over processed commercial products. However, that doesn't stop me for borrowing an idea or two from their sites. And who'da thunk that Betty Crocker would be queen of birthday cake ideas? Ok, ok, ok...you're probably thinking "Um, duh, how about anyone who has ever "homemade" a cake from one her boxes and cans?" But seriously, I was blown away by the site's awesome collection of birthday cake tutorials.

When author Michael Pollan talks I first think "Oh crap, what am I doing wrong now?" Then, I get over myself and prick up my ears to what he's saying because the man knows food.

My kids have been a bit snack-sad ever since our dentist banned all fruits in gooey form. Watching them stare longingly at the boxes of tongue tattoos and gummy ponies every time we venture down the snack aisle of our grocery store is truly heartbreaking. That's not to say mama doesn't sneak in a box or two over summer vacation...A teeny amount of tooth decaying goodies is a small price to pay for summertime fun (plus I make they brush and floss really good after snacking). All in all, I hate the blasted snacks and I wish they didn't have such a pull on my kids.

The ol' food in a jar gift...Such an ordinary present to give yet when you're home with 3 highly excited kids (2 of your own plus an extra one sleeping over) 4 days before Christmas they have to be the best homemade gifts in the world!

With two popular cookbooks (Secret Life of Food and Hey There, Cupcake!)

This mummy dogs recipe from Instructables member Scoochmaroo couldn't be anymore quicker or cuter. Hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls already equals yummy but she steps it up to the next wienie wrap level with her tutorial demonstrating how dogs, dough and a little mustard can be made into some awesome and tasty mummies.

Even though the school year is still brand new, just about now you've already burned your kids out on the turkey and cheese on whole wheat/PB&J pita lunchbox rotation. And they, understandably so, outright refuse to toss in a hot lunch once a week, unless that week's offerings includes a chimichanga.

If given the choice my son would eat Lunchable for ever meal. Although I'm not a fan of sending my son off to school with one of these yellow box o'processed edibles Kraft is attempting to improve the nutritional quality of their Lunchables and they are also doing something pretty great right now...that's worth a few kudos.

Back to school means back to hectic evenings jammed with homework to finish, lunches to pack, forms to fill out and...if you're lucky...a stale slice of weekend pizza gobbled down on your way to pick up junior from soccer practice. No time to long for the days of summers past. It's full-speed ahead. But what are you going to feed your kids when the take-out is gone along with your evening and patience?

Rhyming is a crucial early childhood skills all kids must develop as a precursor to reading. And one of the first ways kids begin to acquire this essential ability is through the practicing and learning of traditional nursery rhymes.