One Twos & Threes
Posted by Lori Hadacek Chaplin in Features on Monday, July 14, 2008
During the toddler years, milestones — like learning to walk, talk, potty train, imagine, play, and pray — seem like little miracles to parents. When Faith & Family asked me to take on the assignment of putting together this issue’s Toddler Guide, I was happy to do so, and I've spent the last year trying out products with the help of my personal tester — my own 2-year-old, Gemma. Enjoy these early... READ MORE
Clean Slate
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Homemaking on Wednesday, July 30, 2008
This morning, we are off to the grocery store.
I’ve been putting off shopping for as long as possible for a variety of reasons. For one thing, I prefer to go without the big boys, whom I love dearly despite the extra money they cost me when we shop together. As they are at a local basketball camp this week, the timing seems right. I’ve also put off going because I need to make a menu (a challenge... READ MORE
Loving Jesus, Serving Others
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Homemaking on Thursday, August 14, 2008
Cooking is a challenge for me. If you’ve known me longer than two minutes, you are already aware of this bit of my personal trivia. It’s not that I burn the food or give my family salmonella – it’s just very, very tough for me to decide what to cook, and then (when that overwhelming task is complete) to actually want to make the effort to cook it.
You can imagine, then, when the occasion arises... READ MORE
Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Thursday, August 14, 2008
I’m late getting to this, but I don’t want to miss reminding people that today is the feast day of one of my favorite saints, Maximilian Kolbe.
Many thanks to Waltzing Matilda for sharing a feast-appropriate craft as well as a liturgical excuse for dipping marshmallows in chocolate. My kind of mom, that Matilda is!
Whole grains made easy … and delicious!
Posted by Danielle Bean in Home Front on Friday, August 15, 2008
NUTRITION
by Danielle
Whole Grain, Whole Health
Does the mention of “healthy whole grain” make you lose your appetite? If so, you’re not alone. Even though diets rich in whole grains have been proven to reduce risk of heart disease and lower rates of obesity, few Americans actually eat the three whole-grain servings per day recommended by USDA dietary guidelines. Adding whole grain to your diet need... READ MORE
Autumn
Posted by Daria Sockey in Season on Friday, August 15, 2008
Autumn, the year’s last,
loveliest smile.
— William Cullen Bryant
Feasts, Traditions … and Fun
SEPTEMBER
1 Labor Day
• For a fun activity on your last days off from school, make a custom word search puzzle that includes all the memorable events of the summer. The following website makes this a cinch: FunBrain.com (click on “Classic Funbrain” and under the “word” section click on “Word Turtle”).... READ MORE
Beyond Peanut Butter and Jelly
Posted by Carmen Staicer in What's Cooking on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
By Carmen Staicer
You know the drill. You pull out your child’s lunchbox, lovingly pack a sandwich with just the right snacks, and it all comes back to you at the end of the day — uneaten. Or maybe you open a lunchbox at night to find unfamiliar junk food wrappers. Upon questioning, your child sheepishly admits to trading lunches with a classmate.
Eating a healthy lunch gives your child the fuel... READ MORE
Handi Snacks
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Food on Saturday, August 23, 2008
Paul and I are packing up our brood tomorrow morning, hitting the road for an end-of-the-summer trip that will include a drive through the mountains, a visit to our nation’s capitol and several other stops along the way.
While we’re in the car, I’d like to pack a cooler filled with delicious, healthy food in order to both avoid fast food restaurants and save time and money. Where this gets tricky: the second day of our trip is our drive through the mountains, and I’d love to have a nice picnic for us at lunchtime. Do you have any practical suggestions for having some sort of moveable feast that can still taste fresh after being in the cooler overnight? Or am I shooting the moon?
Popcorn!
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Reviews on Monday, August 25, 2008
A few months ago, I noticed two things – one, that microwavable popcorn was always on my grocery list, and two, that microwavable popcorn isn’t cheap.
So I started doing a little research and decided we’d start popping corn on our own. I was so pleased to buy the five-dollar bag of kernels that I was confident I’d left the world of nuked popcorn behind. We would now have unlimited bowls of popcorn,... READ MORE
Lunch Box Blues
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Food on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I knew it was inevitable…
Adam took off for his first full day of eighth grade this morning with his lunch in tow, nondescriptly tucked into a brown paper bag. His trusty insulated lunchbox and cool reusable containers tossed aside in favor of something more socially acceptable.
I shouldn’t have been surprised! I remember Eric making the transition from box to bag back when he was in junior... READ MORE

