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Kitchen & Cooking


Welcome to our Kitchen & Cooking hub—where family-friendly recipes, easy cooking ideas,
and practical kitchen tips come together for everyday life. From quick weeknight meals and
kid-approved recipes to smart cooking hacks and honest kitchenware reviews, this space is
designed to help families cook with confidence, save time, and enjoy more meaningful
moments around the table.


100% FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO FAMILY LIVING MAGAZINE
Family Living Magazine is a thoughtfully curated bi-monthly email magazine delivered straight to your inbox twice a month, designed to support real families living real life. Each issue brings together practical guidance and inspiring reads across parenting, health and wellness, food and meal planning, home life, relationships, and multigenerational family dynamics—from raising kids and caring for aging loved ones to nurturing yourself along the way. You’ll find expert-backe

Matthew Hurley
1 min read


The Dad Weekend Breakfast Hall of Fame
Ten Crowd-Pleasing Breakfasts Dads Love to Make (and Families Love to Eat) Weekend mornings hit different. There’s no school bell, no rushed commutes, and—if you’re lucky—coffee stays hot long enough to drink it. For many families, weekends are also when dads step into the kitchen, rolling up their sleeves to cook breakfasts that are bigger, messier, and way more fun than weekday fare. These are the breakfasts dads love to make when time slows down. They’re hearty, familiar,

Matthew Hurley
2 min read


A Real-Life 7-Day Meal Plan for a Family of Four
Kid-Friendly, Flexible, and Built From One Smart Grocery List Meal planning sounds great—until you’re staring into the fridge at 5:30 p.m. with hungry kids and zero energy. The goal of this plan isn’t perfection. It’s options , simplicity , and meals kids will actually eat . Using a combination of Costco staples, Trader Joe’s favorites, and Walmart basics, this 7-day plan covers breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks—all using foods you already have on hand. Mix and match a

Maryann Goldberg
2 min read


A Week of Kid-Friendly Groceries: One Smart List for Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart
If feeding kids sometimes feels like a full-time job, you’re not imagining it. Between breakfasts that have to happen fast, lunches that need to travel well, and dinners that won’t spark negotiations, parents spend a lot of time thinking about food. The good news? With a little planning—and the right mix of stores—you can stock your kitchen for an entire week of kid-friendly meals and snacks without multiple last-minute grocery runs. This weekly grocery list pulls together fa

Kelli Reese
3 min read


Top 10 Kid-Friendly Foods Parents Love—By Store
Feeding kids doesn’t have to mean complicated meals or constant negotiations at the table. These crowd-pleasing picks from Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart are favorites among families for being easy, familiar, and genuinely kid-approved—whether you’re packing lunches, planning quick dinners, or stocking up on snacks. 🥜 Trader Joe’s: Fun, Flavorful, and Surprisingly Nutritious Trader Joe’s offers playful foods that appeal to kids while still meeting many parents’ nutrition

River Cregg
2 min read


Why So Many Families Swear by Costco for Feeding Kids
Feeding a family is a full-time job—one that doesn’t end when dinner is cleared. Whether you’re packing lunches, stocking after-school snacks, or figuring out what’s for dinner again , keeping everyone fed, happy, and reasonably nourished can feel like one of parenting’s biggest logistical challenges. For larger families, especially, two things tend to top the list: budget and having enough food on hand so no one is suddenly hungry midweek with an empty pantry staring back at

Adam Rubin
3 min read


Grandparents on the Front Lines: Crafting Delicious Snacks and Packing Perfect Lunches
Grandparents often play a vital role in family life, especially when it comes to preparing meals for their grandchildren. Many find themselves on the front lines, crafting delicious snacks and packing perfect lunches that fuel kids through busy school days and active afternoons. Their experience, creativity, and love transform simple food into moments of care and connection. The Special Role of Grandparents in Meal Preparation Grandparents bring more than just cooking skills

Sherri Garrison
3 min read


Engaging Kitchen Conversations: Connecting with Your Kids While Cooking Dinner Together
Cooking dinner can feel like a daily chore, but it also offers a unique chance to connect with your kids. The kitchen becomes more than just a place for meals—it turns into a space for meaningful conversations, learning, and bonding. When you involve children in preparing dinner, you open the door to moments that build trust, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories. This post explores how to make kitchen time an opportunity for engaging conversations with your kids. You

Sherri Garrison
3 min read


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