I broke the list down into categories. Although several books fit into multiple categories, they are only listed once.
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
My friend Amanda is a children’s librarian at the award-winning Naperville Public Library with a knack for recommending great books that adults love to give and kids love to receive. She’s never steered me wrong. She suggests this title and says that it is “a graphic novel about following your dreams and acceptance with gorgeous pictures that would make a great gift.”
Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
I was a little worried about including this graphic memoir because while it is widely acclaimed, it deals with some heavy topics, including the toll addiction takes on a family but Amanda assures me it really is that good and contains “funny bits.” I guess it was finalist for the National Book Award for good reason and I shouldn’t second guess.
Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon
This book explores what may have happened if Oliver Twist were a girl in disguise during her years on the streets and finds herself at a crossroads at age 18 when she encounters the Artful Dodger. “This clever retelling of Dickens’ Oliver Twist is perfect for readers who love romance, adventure, historical settings, and heroines who can kick butt in formal gowns,” says Booklist in a starred review.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
This retelling of Pride & Prejudice, which is billed as a “remix”, is set in gentrifying Brooklyn among high schoolers facing college applications and more. In a starred review, School Library Journal says, “This excellent coming-of-age take on a classic belongs on all YA shelves.”
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Set in a fantasy world inspired by West African mythology, this novel that came out in March was a New York Times best seller. Kirkus called it “Exceptional” in a starred review and it also made the Chicago Public Library’s list of Best Teen Fiction in 2018.
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
This book set in Paris is the first in a new YA fantasy series from the New York Times best-selling author. It’s a mix of fantasy, modern fairy tale and action that will have the reader turning pages. One good part of a series is that kids keep reading!
Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
I’ve seen this on several lists of best books of the year, including TIME‘s 10 Best Young Adult and Children’s Books of 2018 and Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of the 2018. It also gets the Amanda seal of approval as well. “Perfect for geeks who feel so similar to and yet so different from the other members of their families,” she says.
Your Own Worst Enemy by Gordon Jack
The reviews of this satirical book about a high school student body president election are good. School Library Journal says, ““The characters are complex and their thoughts and interactions intriguing. This breezy read features some romantic confusion, plenty of humor, and a few serious moments. A good choice.”
Birding is My Favorite Video Game by Rosemary Mosco
This is a graphic book that combines science and humor and is about fun facts, not fiction. It’s short, but that means it won’t overwhelm kids who are reluctant readers.
Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich
You hear of books being made into Broadway productions, but this is the reverse. The smash Tony-winning Broadway production was first on the stage and is now a newly-released novel. If you have a Dear Evan Hansen fan, you check out other gift ideas related to the musical here.
Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning by Leslie Odom, Jr.
This book by the performer who took home a Tony for his performance as Aaron Burr in Hamilton is 208 pages of big life lessons that are particularly good for teens.
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]]>Here are favorite apple items from Trader Joe’s.
If you want to start your morning with apples, try Trader Joe’s Apple Cider Jam on your toast
Want something easy to pack for lunch? These Crunch Dried Honeycrips Apples are light weight and won’t bruise when dropped.
Need a quick afternoon snack? This Caramel Apple Flavored Granola is tasty and with peanuts and pumpkin seeds, each serving has 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. It’s a big hit with my teen daughter.
If you’re looking for a fantastic fall dessert, pop a Rustic Apple Tarte from Trader Joe’s in the over. I did that when my cousins visited us last weekend and it was a great way to end the night. I think the extra “e” in “tarte” adds something, too.
This tarte is a little smaller than other tarts from Trader Joe’s, so be aware and maybe grab an extra one, because this went really fast. It was a hit when served with ice cream. The only thing that would have made this better is a drizzle of caramel on top.
Need something in less than the 20 minutes or so it takes to bake the above tart? There’s the Apple Cranberry Tart, a grab and go option. What you lose in aroma therapy, you gain in time. The cranberries are a fun fall addition and will get you thinking about Thanksgiving.
You don’ have to eat to get your apple on. If you’re looking to make your home smell like an orchard but even better, light this fantastic Honeycrisp Apple Scented Candle.
If you’re avoiding gluten, the Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks are a yummy and gluten-free taste treat.
What’s fall without some apple Spiced Cider? I have long-adored this Trader Joe’s drink. It’s perfectly spiced. Simmer a little on the stove to make your house smell amazing, or make a delicious and simple cocktail – a caramel apple martini. It’s fall in a glass.
Mind-blowing mac and cheese recipe from Cole’s at Montage Palmetto Bluff
Girl Up empowers girls on Day of the Girl and everyday
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]]>If the impact of throwing away food is larger than you thought on your wallet, the same is also true for the impact on the environment. Not only is there the trash from the food, there’s also the waste of the water and energy it took to produce the food and bring it to market.
The solution is to waste less food, but how? Here are some simple ways to reduce food waste in your home from Smarter with a few I’ve learned along the way, added for good measure.
If you are not sure if you will make a dish that calls for certain produce, buy frozen instead of fresh. Studies have found that frozen can be just as nutritious as fresh, if not more because the produce is frozen almost immediately after picking.
Out of sight, out of mind is often a primary cause of produce going to waste. If you forget you purchased fruits and veggies because they are buried in a drawer, switch it up. Put your producer in glass containers with paper towel to absorb moisture and store them on the fridge shelves instead. Use your drawers for something else! (I find that a loaf of bread fits just fine in the drawers and stays protected from less-than-gentle teens.)
If fruits and veggies start to look a little mushy and on the verge of going bad throw them all into the blender with some plain yogurt and ice cubes. Texture does not matter when you are grinding everything up and the entire family can benefit from this waste-free breakfast or snack that is packed with vitamins and minerals.
Instead of cooking throughout the week, do all your prep work on the weekend or on one weeknight and store your ingredients in containers already sliced and diced for convenience. With your recipes pre-planned, you only buy what you need, not what you might use.
Buy your produce loose instead of in bags where you cannot really see what is inside. Open containers of fruit and do not be shy about swapping out pieces that are already moldy or looking rotten. If you do not, your entire purchase could be bad the day after you buy it.
You might have thought that one of your fridge drawers was for fruits and one for veggies, but that is not actually how you should split up your product. Some produce gives off a gas called ethylene and other fruits and vegetables can ripen faster when exposed to it. So, keep sensitive foods like apples, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, summer squash and watermelon separate from other produce to prolong freshness.
I confess that my family and I are not great at eating leftovers. They end up getting thrown out more than they should. They are less of an issue when I’m better at the aforementioned meal planning. I also just need to remember them, and that leftovers can be great, whether for lunch the next day or incorporated into a new dinner. Talk with your family about food waste and make it clear that leftovers are meant to be consumed. Ask them for ideas. Maybe your teen is willing to eat them as an evening snack.
Take a few extra seconds when grabbing an item off the shelf to check the expiration date and make sure that you have time to use it before that date.
Have an abundance of something? Share it with friends, neighbors, teachers, the mailman. I love when you can take action that is good for both the environment and your soul.
There’s lots of help available when it comes to cooking, meal preparation and delivery services. There’s not so much assistance, however, when it comes to tackling food waste. Try out one of the online food delivery services so you are only getting the ingredients you need and not impulse buying at the market. And, consider outfitting your refrigerator with the FridgeCam, a retrofit and cost-effective product which gives you never-seen-before access to your fridge remotely via an app for your smartphone.
This post isn’t sponsored. I just thought that these tips from Smarter were worth sharing, particularly during Earth Week and learning up to Earth Day on April 22nd.
Blue Apron review: What I like and don’t like about the meal delivery kit service
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See the teaser trailer released today here:
The move is obviously not a ballet, and with its own story. Here’s the scoop from Disney Studios:
All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy and featuring a special performance by Misty Copeland, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale. In theaters on Nov. 2, 2018.
This movie is right up my family’s alley. I’ve written about The Nutcracker ballet (find fun facts about it here), Misty Copeland, and Disney all before, and to have them come together is exciting.
Props to those who remember that Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen starred together in Pride & Prejudice. Love that this is their reunion!
To help you feel festive this holiday season, Disney is sharing two festive Nutcracker-inspired holiday recipes. Find the recipe for Nutcracker cookies here.
You can find all the info you need to create a Nutcracker gingerbread house here.
Enjoy those treats this holiday season and know that the movie will be out for the holidays next year!
Prior Post: 5 best books about parenting teens published in the past year
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What was a surprise, however, was that the kind staff generously gave me the mind blowing Mac-n-cheese recipe from Cole’s, one of the restaurants at Montage Palmetto Bluff.
It’s my new favorite, and I had to share it with you. It’s for the restaurant-size portion, so it’s huge. It’s so good that you may just want to make all of it. Of course, you can cut the the recipe to fit your purposes. (Seriously, though, consider making the whole thing.)
2 lbs Elbow Macaroni (Dry)
3/4 cup Butter
3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
2 T Mustard Powder
3 qts Heavy Cream
2 Yellow Onions, Diced
4 Bay Leaves
2 t Paprika
4 Eggs
3 lbs Shredded Cheddar
2 T Kosher Salt
1 T Black Pepper
1 lb Shredded Cheddar
1 bag of Panko (It didn’t specify the amount in the bag, but eyeball it, you’ll be fine)
2 cups shredded parmesan
2 cups olive oil
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1. There is so much going on here.
SafeHouse is a feast for the eyes, and all the senses, really. There’s zero chance of getting bored. I get overwhelmed or end up with sensory overload pretty easily, but I was fine here. My teen was more than fine, she was pretty delighted. It wasn’t just her. One girl walked past our table and said, “This place is SO COOL.” It’s a lot, in a good and fun way.
2. There’s a scavenger hunt.
I love a good scavenger hunt, so I was delighted when we sat down and saw the “Recon Duty” sheet. It was fun to have something to do (and that gave us a legitimate reason to explore the space) together. Also, should you want more action, there’s a SafeHouse App you can download with additional clues for more hunting.
3. There are secrets and surprises.
I can’t reveal too much; surprises and secrets are best kept. (And it might get me killed by an international spy ring and well, we wouldn’t want that.) Suffice it to say that there are unexpected twists and turns that will be part of your dining experience.
4. We are still talking and laughing about a few weeks later.
SafeHouse Chicago was new and novel and interesting and unlike any place we had been before.
There is something really fantastic about experiencing something brand new with your kids. When that something produces a lot of laughs and some inside jokes, it’s even better. Our trip to SafeHouse Chicago has stuck with us, in the very best of ways.
5. Fun food!
The original SafeHouse is in Milwaukee and as a nod to its roots in Wisconsin, SafeHouse kept cheese curds on its Chicago menu. They are delicious. In addition, there are fun cocktails for adults.
I enjoyed my burger, my husband said his meal was good and my teen really liked her Caesar salad. A well-fed teen is a whole lot easier to get along with, am I right? While the food is solid, the theming steals the show here.
If you’re visiting SafeHouse, definitely check out their website ahead of time, or better yet, have your kids do it and ask them to get you the address. (There are a few fun ways to do it on their site, including using coordinates for latitude and longitude.)
Plan on heading there for lunch or early dinner. After 8 p.m. on weeknights, it becomes a spot for only adults.
Disclosure: We received a free meal at SafeHouse but were not compensated for this post. All opinions are mine and that of my fellow spies. I mean family.
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I opted to try the Mango Pineapple frappucino first. Starbucks says on its website that the drink offers a “taste of the tropics even when you’re no where close to sun and sand, with flavors of mango, caramelized pineapple and a hint of lime.”
We recently returned from a trip to Hawaii and I’m still struggling with reentry. I thought this drink could bring back to the good island feelings for me.
What’s in the drink?
The barista starts with the Frappuccino® Blended Crème base and mixes it with mango syrup. They then blended with milk and ice. They then pour that blended mixture over a purée of mango and pineapple. Finally, it’s topped with more purée, to give it the layered effect.
Was it any good?
I liked the Mango Pineapple Frappuccino. It’s solid. But I didn’t love it.
I certainly didn’t mind it, but it’s not a beverage I’ll crave every single time I pass a Starbucks. And it’s a little too syrupy to feel like a true tropical taste treat. It’s a little too “melted popsicle-ish” for that.
The mango taste dominated, with pineapple coming on less strong. I didn’t get any “hint of lime” as promised, which is too bad because that little bit of acidity would be really nice to cut some the sweetness here.
I do, however, think it’s ridiculously pretty and the color alone was a fun pick me up on an uninspired Hump Day.
Also, I still long for a world in which Starbucks blended fruity drinks have a bit of caffeine. The refreshers are a start, but let’s take that idea all the way, R & D friends in Seattle. Please?
[However, if you have kids are worried about their caffeine consumption, this is a fantastic caffeine-free option.]
It feels like a combo smoothie and milkshake. I don’t object to that, but I think I prefer to be firmly in one camp or the other. If you like to both and don’t want to have to pick, however, this is the drink for you.
Nutrition info
Here the scoop on a grande size Mango Pineapple Frappucino as provided by the Starbucks website.
260 calories
4 grams of fat
52 grams of carbohydrate
4 grams of protein
15% of calcium
0 milligrams of caffeine
The new drinks are available “while they last” and your guess as to how long that could be is as good as mine. I’d say don’t wait too long.
Prior Post: For summer fun with kids in Chicago, head to Eataly
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Yesterday, one of my good friends packed up her family and jumped on a plane, headed for an amazing adventure in Italy. That’s not in the cards for us this summer, so I did the next best thing. I packed up my family and hopped in the car as we headed for an adventure at Eataly Chicago.
I love the idea of traveling with your taste buds, and this was a great way for us to explore Italy and enjoy some fun time together without needing passports or suitcases.
Eataly
Founded in Torino in 207, Eataly is the largest artisanal Italian marketplace in the world. There are now more than 35 locations in countries all across the globe. Eataly Chicago is the largest location in the U.S. with more than 60,000 square feet on two floors, including 5 full-service restaurants.
Sounds fantastic, right? Even better, it’s family-friendly. And if you love pasta, wine, cheese, or anything related to Italy, you’re in the right place.
Pizza via Eataly Loves Kids
The store has recently launched Eataly Loves Kids, which is focused on what kids love: pizza.
In La Pizza & La Pasta, the most popular and largest restaurant, kids can get a $9 Neapolitan-style pizza in their choice of fun shapes: hearts, butterflies, fish, or bunnies. Children choose their shape and ingredients by coloring an interactive menu, which is also a great way to learn some Italian. (And my teens and the good friend she brought with us were surprisingly charmed by the shaped pizzas.)
It is available during regular restaurant hours Sunday through Thursday. The hours are Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.and Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The pizza is large, and the kids gobbled it up. The fact that it won’t completely break the bank shows some love to parents, too.
It’s possible that when we went the adults were as mesmerized watching the expert pizzaiolo, or pizza maker, craft the pizzas and slide them in and out of the ovens.
My husband and I both had pasta, which they serve al dente, just like they do it in Italy. I had the Ravioli di Prosciutto con Piselli. My husband really enjoyed the Rigatoni all’ Arrabbiata, which had enough kick to make him happy. Perhaps because of that, he also tried out Mole Cola, the Italian version of Coca Cola.
Everyone Loves Gelato
When we were done with our meal, we headed downstairs and grabbed gelato. The tiramisu gelato is fantastic. And my daughter loved her combo of berry and lemon sorbets.
None of us was brave enough to try the caprese gelato combo, but perhaps next time! The combo is pomodoro sorbet plus basil-flavored gelato plus sweet milk gelato, with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt sprinkled on top.
When I asked my daughter what her favorite part of our visit to Italy was, she replied, “My pizza was really good. The gelato was really good, too!” Kid may not have the largest vocabulary, but she knows what she likes.
If you can’t visit in Chicago, there are two locations in New York and one in Boston, with stores planned for Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Toronto.
Eataly Chicago is located at 43 E. Ohio Street.
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]]>Some of these chicken drumstick recipes are made in the oven, others in the crock pot or Instapot and others go on the grill. You’re sure to find an option that works for you.
Oven Baked Recipes
Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks by Allrecipes
Simple Baked Chicken Drumsticks by Food.com
Crispy Baked Honey Sriracha Chicken Drumsticks by Budget Bytes
Buffalo-Style Baked Chicken Drumsticks from About Southern Food
Crock Pot or Instapot Recipes
Chili Lime Chicken Drumsticks (in the crock pot or slow cooker) by Melanie Makes
Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks by Sugar-Free Mom
Honey Teriyaki Drumsticks for Skillet and InstaPot by SkinnyTaste
Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks by Copy Me That
Incredible InstaPot Ginger Garlic Drumsticks by Living Sweet Moments
Moroccan Sticky Chicken by Bare Root Girl
Grill Recipes
Citrus Chicken by An Edible Mosaic
Grilled Lemon-Oregano Chicken Drumstick by Bon Apetit
Sweet N Spicy Asian Glazed Grilled Drumsticks by Skinny Taste
Balsamic Glazed Grilled Chicken by Joyful Healthy Eats
Garlic Marinated Grilled Chicken Drumsticks by Paleo Magazine
KANKUN® Chicken Drumsticks by Kankun Sauce (can be made on grill or oven
This post contains affiliate links.
You May Also Like: 20 delicious peanut butter dessert recipes
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]]>In honor of National Peanut Butter Day, but appropriate for any day of the year in my book, here are twenty delicious peanut butter dessert recipes.
Peanut Butter Lasagna from Kylee’s Kitchen
No bake dessert lasagna? Where has this been all my life?
Peanut Butter Buckeyes from the National Peanut Board
These were big when I was growing up in Ohio and also a great no-bake option when you don’t feel like turning on the oven.
Peanut Butter Cake Bars from Taste of Home
I like cake. I like peanut butter.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes from Serious Eats
A fun twist on the classic combination!
Peanut Butter Caramel Swirled Brownies from Bobby Flay
These are the most drool-worthy (and yes, that’s a word now) brownies ever.
Peanut Butter Banana Pudding from The Chic Site
Elvis was on to something by combining peanut butter and banana in a sandwich, so why not pair them in a pudding?
Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats from Foodie Crush
I’ve heard of gilding the lily, but is there such a thing as salting the lily?
Peanut Butter Pretzel Bonbons from Allrecipes
These feel fancy, but are also quick and easy to make.
Peanut Butter Cookies from Food.com
Can’t beat a really good peanut butter cookie served with a cold glass of milk.
Peanut Butter Ice Cream from Pretty. Sweet. Simple.
This is a real ice cream recipe that includes eggs, making it almost like a custard.
Peanut Butter Fudge from Alton Brown
Just four ingredients, this recipe is super easy and super good.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake from Taste and Tell
This will satisfy anyone’s peanut butter craving.
Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie from Yammie’s Noshery
Pie is always a good choice.
Triple Peanut Butter Streusel Bars from Midwest Living
This calls for not just peanut butter but also dry-roasted peanuts and peanut butter-flavored pieces.
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Clusters from Averie Cookies
White chocolate is as great a match with peanut butter as any other kind of chocolate, but I’m a white chocolate fan.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse from The Chew
Mini-mason jars full of this goodness are just adorable, and delicious.
Peanut Butter Sauce from Martha Stewart
So yummy on ice cream, or just by the spoonful, no judgement.
Peanut Cola Cake from My Recipes
It may not be the first combination that springs to mind, but it’s worth a shot.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Swirl Milkshakes from The Stay At Home Chef
Decadence sipped through a straw.
Peanut Butter Gooey Cake from I Love My Disorganized Life
Sweetened condensed milk is responsible for the gooey part of this yummy recipe.
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