Photo: *SallyM*

Hope you’re enjoying the day and gearing up for a new DECADE! I’m still in PJs myself, hoping that our friends will make it over tonight (seems their 2-year-old might be under the weather). Either way, you’ll find me hanging with my boys, sipping wine and staying cozy this evening. Hope you’ll be doing something that makes you equally happy.

If you haven’t already, please check out my recent post of gratitude. It’s important that you know how much you mean to me. (Awwww!) I can’t wait for more good food and delicious conversation in 2010.

(I also can’t wait to start posting on a regular basis again! What can I say… I’m a schedule person. Hope you are, too, because I’m coming back at ya 3 times a week starting on Monday.)

I recently wrote a piece on hiding vegetables for Mamapedia. In case you missed it there, here it is.
I’m often asked about how to get kids to eat vegetables. Of course! What parent hasn’t struggled through a kid-imposed ban on veggies? Even the most intrepid little eaters will suddenly decide that vegetables—even ones they happily enjoyed days before—are off the list.
Having spoken to tons of parents and survived toddler picky phases first hand, I appreciate why this is such a common question. Every parent wants to make sure that her kids are eating a well-balanced diet. But, truth be told, I think it’s the wrong question to ask. And so to the inquiries, I offer an unconventional and, for some, uncomfortable answer:
Stop worrying. And, by all means, don’t hide vegetables. Instead, be bold and do just the opposite—serve them frequently and enjoy them openly.
Read more …

Photo: rustman

Hanukkah and Christmas are behind us, and the new year is around the corner. As we take a breather this weekend, I want to tell you how much joy it brings me to talk with you about family and food. It’s been almost a year since I started posting on ChowMama and it’s been one of the most fulfilling of my career. Our conversations make me a better cook and a more thoughtful parent. THANK YOU for reading and commenting. THANK YOU for spreading the word, chatting with me on Twitter and, most important of all, believing that we can make the world a healthier and more delicious place for our families.

I look forward to another year of swapping tips and recipes that make family eating quick, easy and tasty. (With some exciting changes that I’ll tell you about soon!)

Have a great weekend. Take it easy next week. Ring in the new year with loved ones and good food. Then let’s work together to inspire more families to eat well in 2010!

Photo: ilmungo

So, life was going smoothly. Even with a new baby at home. Holiday shopping was getting done. Decorations were put up. Hanukkah was celebrated without a hitch (my ChowBaby and I even found time to make Sufganiyot, home made jelly donuts). And holiday cookie dough was made and frozen in plenty of time for Christmas. Then, it hit. Hard. My super easy, teeny tiny ChowBaby stopped sleeping during the day. Not good. Please. Be. A. Phase.
I’m amazed at how incredibly far behind I’ve fallen in just one week of sleepless shenanigans. We’re suddenly three days from Christmas and I’m more a mess than I’ve been since he was born. Tired. Crabby. Stressed. Losing it. Yes, lovelies. I know you can hardly imagine me losing it, but it does happen every once and a while. (HA!) And the only thing keeping me sane right now is the cookie dough in my freezer.
Read more …

Photo: LDHNY

We’re definitely coming out of the woods as far as the infancy craziness. Not only is our new ChowBaby dreamy and laid back, but he’s also already 2-months-old! He’s sleeping for longer chunks of time and even allowing me to get a decent night’s sleep most evenings. While I’m excited to be able to make dinner every night again (at least for now), I always like to make one dish a week that will last a few meals and/or freeze well. It’s a trick that every family cook should add to their repertoire. It takes hardly any extra time or effort and affords you a night off from cooking, not to mention great packed lunches. The best is when your freezer start to fill up with such meals. It takes the pressure off, especially useful during busy times like the holidays.
This Spinach Lasagna is made with my Deliciously Simple, Rich (Turkey) Meat Sauce. The combo of vegetable, lean meat, pasta and cheese makes this a healthy, complete meal. Once you make the sauce, which takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours largely unattended (and can be made a day or two ahead of making lasagna), putting the lasagna together is a snap. It requires no more than 15 minutes prep time.
Read more …

Image: Sarah Parrott of Parrott Design Studio Letterpress

I’m thrilled to share with you the first annual ChowMama Holiday Gift Guide, a list of cravings for the foodies–young and old–in your life. There’s something for everyone, whether passionate about eating, entertaining, cooking, play cooking or all of the above. (And, really, who does that not include?!)

Please help spread the word! Tell your friends to come on by and do their shopping ChowMama style. They can save time AND skip the nasty mall food court. What could be better than that?

Thanks, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Stacie

PS: I should mention that I have not been in contact with any of the companies featured here. Everything listed in this guide is personally curated by me — stuff I like and hope you’ll like it, too.

NOTE:To best view the guide, click “Full Screen” and zoom in once or twice. Have fun!
2009 ChowMama Holiday Gift Guide