My husband works on Sundays, which is a bummer for him and a bummer for me. We both feel like we’re robbed of a weekend day – he has to go in to the office, and I’m busy chasing the kids, running errands, tidying the house, and preparing foods for the week ahead. I’m looking […]

While I’m finally starting to get into some sort of routine with the two little ones, I still struggle with getting everything on my to-do list done in one day. By the time evening rolls around, I’m exhausted and almost out of energy. But, since I am a homemade mother I still see the value […]

A few weeks ago Chris and I watched the documentary “Food, Inc.” While it reaffirmed many beliefs I have held about American food processing for years, it also brought up several new insights I hadn’t before considered. It was a very informative yet entertaining film, and I think it should be required viewing for all […]

Today was THE day. Blue skies! Sun! Temperature comfortably in the 70s! Chirping birds and happy dogs and sprouting flowers. And…no people in sight. If the city wasn’t under lock down, the lake front would have been jammed with happy Chicagoans high-fiving all of humanity. If it was a normal day, I would have easily […]

We recently took delivery of our first box of imperfect organic produce from a company appropriately called…Imperfect Produce. This new delivery service brings fruits and vegetables not “pretty” enough for grocery store shelves into the homes of eco- and open-minded families like mine. We don’t care if the apples have a spot or the carrots […]

Nothing lasts forever. I think we finally bid adieu to mild, almost summer-like weather. Last week Chicago saw temps in the 70s(!!), but this past weekend the cold settled in. We had a wee dusting of snow that didn’t stick, and we can see our breath while chatting outdoors. Brrrrrr… In recognition of the winter […]

Winter in Chicago has been fairly mild this year, but I’m still so totally OVER IT. I really hate the cloudy skies. And I really hate how long it takes to get the kids ready to walk out the door. And I really really REALLY hate feeling cold all the time (especially when I step […]

I was recently asked by a local kids cooking school what my definition of “The Kids Table” is. It took me just a few moments of reflection to come up with my answer: time together. Kids should feel welcome in the kitchen at any time. It is the heart of every home, the place where […]

Now that we are in the thick of summer, we are outside ALL THE TIME. Seriously, we don’t come in every evening until 5:30, which makes dinner prep almost impossible: by the time we are in, the kids are hungry but dinner hasn’t even been started! Whenever possible, I make dinner in the early afternoon. […]

My grandma died 48 hours ago. I am still processing the loss. I have never before had to say goodbye to someone so close to me. She was such a vital part of my childhood and always a familiar and comforting voice. To think that I won’t speak to her ever again…I can’t help but […]