There is just something about a freshly baked cookie, one that’s been measured  by hand and dropped carefully onto a cookie sheet, that is just spectactular. The very idea wraps its arms around you like a cozy favorite blanket, enveloping you in bliss (well, until you eat too many and gain a few). It’s no secret around my family that I absolutely adore cookies. Chocolate chip cookies, Deconstructed Peppermint Bark Cookies, Iced Pumpkin Cookies … I love ‘em all.

With Thanksgiving now behind us and Christmas slowly creeping up, it’s time for many a home cook to start thinking about Christmas cookies. Me? I’ve been baking Christmas cookies since I was old enough to turn on the stove. Some years, I would gift the cookies. Other years, I would bake with friends. These days, I often bake with my kids — and that is a great tradition to have.

And frankly, in a year where so many of us are struggling, cookies are an inexpensive way to say you care in a meaningful way. After all, what isn’t spent moneywise is made-up-for with hard labor baking.

These peanut butter cookies are crisp and peanut butter-y, just like a good peanut butter cookie should be. If you want to gift these though, just make sure that the recipient isn’t allergic to nuts.

Turn in next week for another cookie recipe, ready for gifting.

Continue reading…

Football, turkey, family, laughs … these are the things that Thanksgiving is made of. From all of us here at the More to the Core blog, to all of you: Have a wonderful, safe, happy and joyous Thanksgiving Day!

In the 12 years since I became a mom, I’ve logged countless hours in the car with kids. And now that I’ve got five–including two long-legged big boys, two easily-bored younger boys, and a baby–a successful car trip requires forethought, planning, and patience. If you’ll be hitting the road with your kids this Thanksgiving, follow some of my tried-and-true tips for surviving–and even enjoying–the ride.

1. Consider seating carefully. During the average week, I’ve got my kids’ car seats set up to give me easy access to the little ones, since they still need to be buckled in. But on longer trips, this arrangement isn’t as logical. Putting the two littlest kids in the bucket seats wastes all the leg room on those that need it least, and also means the three biggest–and most bicker-prone–kids are squashed together in the back bench seat. Try playing with seating a bit: put a big sibling next to the baby (older kids can find a dropped sippy cup or amuse little ones) or a toddler next to the sibling he gets along with best. Or play musical seats at each potty stop, letting each child have a chance at the most coveted spot.

2. Pack Snacks. After our car needed to be completely detailed to remove a funky smell emanating from the back seat, we outlawed eating on the go. But we relax those rules on road trips, when snacks aren’t just a distraction, but a parental sanity-saver. Coolers work, but they add an element of hassle to the trip, so we opt instead for items that don’t have to be chilled: juice boxes, peanut-butter crackers, and fruit, for example. Continue reading…

There is nothing more heartwarming than hearing your small child say he is most thankful for his family. It was part of his homework last week to send in a photo or draw a picture of something he’s grateful for. He could have said his video games, or school friends, or ice cream sundaes. But he said “my family” without hesitation, and so we sent in a family photo. I’m so glad the spirit of Thanksgiving has rubbed off on him.

It’s true that Thanksgiving is my personal favorite holiday. For once, it’s a holiday with no strings attached. It’s probably also the least commercialized (if you ignore the marketing promos during the Macy’s parade or the endless specials on The Food Network, that is). What I mean is there are no gifts to wrap, no goodie bags to make, no costumes to wear, no turkey trees to decorate. It’s just family gathering together over some good food and family traditions. Continue reading…

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is this week? I feel like that’s all I have been saying lately, but it’s true. Thanksgiving just came out of nowhere this year. Seriously!

Whether you are planning a shindig at your home or heading out to a loved one’s, this recipe is easy, fast and can even be made ahead of time. What more could you ask for on a day when many of us spend hours and hours cooking?

Just be sure that you purchase mini sweet peppers (as opposed to hot peppers), available in bulk at stores like Costco.

And as for giving thanks, I am thankful to have this forum and my family food blog to share dishes like this with you. I am also thankful for my adorable children, who bring joy into my life everyday, a wonderful husband and a supportive family.

What are you thankful for? Continue reading…

Head on over to our Facebook page to share some of your favorite Thanksgiving recipes for a chance to win an awesome prize!

Grand Prize: $500 Target gift card and $50 Mott’s products
Contest ends November 30th.

Wine can be so confusing. Whether you spend $8 or $80, you could get a good or a bad bottle if you aren’t sure what you are looking for.

Don’t worry! Real Mom’s Guide to the rescue on this one with advice from a reknowned wine expert. Click here to find what bottles are great for under $20.

So it’s getting colder out and you’re itching for a balmy beach getaway, but a trip to the tropics just isn’t in the budget, right? Since our first family trip to Wisconsin Dells (“waterpark capital of the world”) almost ten years ago, I’ve become a bit of a waterpark evangelist. Since then we’ve visited over a dozen parks within a few hours’ radius of our Michigan home.

Over the last five years or so, indoor waterparks have started popping up all over the country, so you no longer have to live in the Midwest to be within driving distance of one. Here are a few of the reasons why indoor waterpark resorts are one of my family’s favorite weekend getaways:

Something for everyone. Most of the indoor waterparks I’ve been to offer a nice mix of attractions for big kids and little kids. For instance, during a recent trip to Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, IL (north of Chicago), I spent most of my time in a warm, zero-entry toddler pool with a series of small slides. Clara, our baby, splashed in the shallowest water while Owen, 3, and William, 6, went down the slides. The big boys opted for the thrill slides, going down again and again, which emptied into a wave pool right next to the toddler pool. Of course, we had to take a few trips down the lazy river, too (my favorite part!). Continue reading…

It’s something many kids go through — nearly half, according to a new study. Many of you probably dealt with it when you were younger. Now as parents, the idea of it happening to your child just makes you fearful and sad. It’s becoming the victim of a school bully.

The study, presented recently at the American Public Health Association‘s annual meeting in Philadelphia, is based on survey results from more than 10,000 middle-school students who anonymously answered questions online.

Here’s the frightening part…

Bullies did much of their intimidating in the classroom, lunchroom and school hallways, the researchers found. Those who were bullied in the classroom felt more threatened and unsafe on campus than other students.

You’d think that being under the supervision of teachers and other adults would at the very least keep your child protected in and around the classroom. But contrary to the idea that most bullying takes place in the schoolyard, kids feel just as intimidated in class. That’s why it’s important to teach your child about standing up for him or herself, and speaking up to you to let you know what’s going on in school. We often hear about these situations when they’ve already been going on for too long. Continue reading…

With the holidays around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving … and especially desserts for Thanksgiving. In our house, we typically have two pies — a pumpkin and an apple. Honestly, I could eat the entire pumpkin pie by myself, though I am not sure that the family would approve.

For the apple, my favorite is a homemade version that I’ve been making for several years. It has a delightful sweet and crumbly top that goes so well with the sweet-tart apples inside.

It’s always a hit with kids and adults around my Thanksgiving table.

What pies are traditional in your house for Thanksgiving? Share in the comments below! Continue reading…