Food + Fun

FESTIVE READS: 7 Holiday Books for Kids

TURKEYS IN DISGUISE By Cynthia Platt Illustrated by Josh Cleland A hilariously fun read-aloud picture book where children think quickly and creatively to disguise a group of turkeys and save them from becoming Thanksgiving dinner!  THE HUMBLE PIE By Jory…

Airport Diversions and other Kid-Friendly Tips

Summertime travel with children, especially when it includes airports, can be challenging. Jerry Chandler, aviation expert and father of five, is a correspondent for Cheapflights’ "Flight News" blog. He offers these tips for families flying with kids. • Book direct, non-stop flights whenever possible, to avoid airplane changes.

10 Tips for a Summer Block Party

Looking for a way to finally introduce yourself to the new neighbor down the street? Are your kids begging you to host an all-day water balloon war? Whether wanting to swap recipes or socialize within the neighborhood, block parties are time-honored traditions in neighborhoods all across the country.

Give Board Games a Spin

The next time your family is making a beeline toward the video game department of a toy store, try taking a detour into the board game section. You’ll find plenty of old favorites and new variations. Along with the simpler luck-of-the-dice racing games for younger children, there are complex scenario strategy games for older kids and teens.

Recipe: Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Involve the kids with this easy to prepare recipe. It can be readily made in large quantities for freezing, and there’s a good chance your whippersnappers will love it. At least that’s what I’ve found when preparing this for my client’s kids and at home. After you’ve done the initial sautéing, bring the kids in to help you layer all ingredients before it goes in the oven. There’s an opportunity to introduce some culinary math. Units of measure: 1 pint = 2 cups; 1 cup = 8 fl. oz.; 1/2 cu

Make Johnny Appleseed Proud!

If Johnny Appleseed would love North Carolina! Our state has an abundance of fresh farm apples to pick this fall, so take advantage of it. Try any of these fun activities or recipes to make the most of the season.

September - In the Kitchen

This summer’s release of Ratatouille, presented an opportunity to inspire our three children to eat something new. The movie tells the story of a Parisian rat named Remy, who possesses a particular talent for cooking. And Ratatouille – a Provencal peasant dish of sautéed and baked vegetables - features heavily in the picture’s finale.

Recipe: Ratatouille

NEAT EATS Ratatouille This recipe originates from the southern Provencal region of France, and contains a healthy spread of mixed vegetables – eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and green peppers – that are sautéed and then roasted with herbs. The sautéing and consequent browning brings out the sweetness in the vegetables, and so may appeal to the taste buds of your children. If you’re thinking, "Not for my kids!" go with the extra incentive of showing them the Pixar movie before serving

Recipe: Green Lasagna

The pluses to this recipe are boundless. Lending itself to bulk preparation, and then storage in the freezer, this variation of lasagna is healthy (the green comes from spinach), with some easy preparation, followed by brief sautéing and quick assembly.

The Thankful Tree

My sons, ages 3 and 5 years, have 57 dinosaurs, 24 action heroes and 214 army men. They also have an amazing collection of 47 ketchup packets, just to prove it’s not the cost that counts. Before you convict me of attempted-spoiling, I’ll ask you to count up your children’s favorite toys. After that, consider that all these items (never mind the ketchup) were purchased by well-meaning aunts, uncles, friends and grandmas.

A Christmas Holiday Retreat in Dillsboro/Balsam

Crisp mountain air, luminaries, carolers performing on the street corner and the whistle of a steam locomotive set the stage for an memorable holiday weekend in Dillsboro, N.C. Just down the road, the Balsam Inn welcomes you with a blazing fire, hot cider and comfortable rooms. Only 2.5 hours from Charlotte, you’ll feel a thousand miles away and decades in the past.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore House

To spend the holidays at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville is to step back in time. The sights, the sounds, the smells all are reminiscent of the Gilded Age at the turn of the century. Each year, the Biltmore House is richly decorated in the holiday traditions set by George W. Vanderbilt, who first welcomed friends and family to his country retreat on Christmas Eve 1895. The bright tapestry of Christmas colors complement the rich oak paneling and European furnishings of the home.

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