Gardening does not come as easy to me as cooking, so this isn’t exactly my comfort zone. Unlike the kitchen where things come instinctively, the yard takes a bit more effort and focus. Of course the kids just want to dig dirt, and I’ve finally come to accept it isn’t such a bad thing—as long as they stay away from my vegetables, flowers and herbs.

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A few weeks ago, artificial food colorings fell under scrutiny from the FDA. Parents around the country hoped the U.S. would come to its senses and realize our children don’t need the 15 million pounds of food dyes currently used in processed food annually. Yes—15 million, a staggering, and alarming, amount.

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My two-year old says her ABC’s, mostly in order, and even counts to 20, more often than not. What makes me most proud, though, is she knows to ask what canister to put trash in. While she’s still too young to understand the concept of recycling, she does knows that paper, plastic, tin and glass do not go in the same bin as a banana peel or the scraps from our dinner plates.

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Childhood obesity is a hot button topic, and for good reason. The way we feed our children sets the foundation for how they will eventually feed themselves. While we all know making healthy food choices is key, portion size plays a big role too. All portions are not created equal, and what’s appropriate for adults is different for children.

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My three year old daughter topples into my lap most evenings, and greedily gobbles up my raw kale salad, lightly dressed with a lemon Parmesan vinaigrette. I know this is not normal behavior. Most kids’ reaction to kale follow that of my husband, though he is coming around.

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Making your own baby food is easier than it seems, especially if you think green. While apples and pears cook up quick enough, some foods require little more than peeling and mashing before serving. Such is the case with avocados. Baby will love the creamy texture of this easy-to-make first food, and you’ll feel good knowing she’s getting a dose of vital nutrients with every bite.

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Taco night is popular in our family, but sometimes the clean up is daunting once you set out all the fixings. On busy weeknights, quesadillas are more my speed. The kids love it just as much, maybe even more, because they really feel like their helping mommy cook. My older daughter helps shred the cheese using a box-style grater—a very grown-up feeling task for a 7 year old. Her little sister sprinkles the cheese on top of the tortillas. I set out the remaining ingredients and let the kids assemble their own quesadillas.

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Let’s face it, you can’t please everyone every night when it comes to dinner. On those nights when I want something with more grown-up flair, hot pots are the perfect answer. This isn’t a classic Japanese-style hot pot but it is filled with big, bold flavors that will leave you longing for seconds.

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Ever since my oldest daughter could eat pancakes, they’ve been her favorite breakfast. I much prefer a protein-rich meal to energize me for the coming day. What we needed was a compromise—whole wheat pancakes fit the bill.

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I always felt a sense of pride that milk or water were the beverages of choice for my oldest daughter once she made the switch from breastmilk to cow’s milk. What I hadn’t prepared for was the onslaught of juice introduced to her diet when she began pre-school. Rather than forbid it all together, the last few years have been about teaching moderation.

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Parenting the second time around is an interesting experiment. I played it safe with my older daughter. Devoured and dutifully put to use everything the magazines said I should do. It wasn’t until my second child five years later, that I realized people have been doing this for thousands of years. Parenting I mean, and they didn’t have monthly cave drawing subscriptions to Parents magazine.

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First foods are an evergreen topic, and for good reason. Those early tastes help set the stage for good habits later on down the road. Recently, Dr. Alan Greene, a renowned pediatrician who has also written many childhood nutrition articles, made a heady claim on ABC’s Good Morning America show. Dr. Greene believes feeding white rice cereal is not only bad for baby, but thinks it’s the root cause of childhood obesity.

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I remember carefully cradling my oldest daughter in my arms with all those new-parent jitters. I’d never held a baby before, and was worried about properly supporting her neck muscles. Then suddenly we blinked, or at least it felt that way, and we hit an important milestone: tummy time.

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Ask any parent at what point you can start feeding baby solids, and you’re likely to get as many answers as people you ask. The best advice, though, will always come from your pediatrician. When my second daughter was born, I remember my surprise at her four-month check up when her doctor said the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) had revised their guidelines and were now advising parents to wait until six months of age before starting solids.

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It looks like this winter has the potential to be a long and cold one for more than just us folks here in the northeast. Places I once thought were free from cold and ice, like the southern United States, are getting hit with record-breaking temperatures. This season, play it safe with these tips for dressing your little ones before heading outside.

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Parsnips are a hard sell with many kids. An easy fix might be making a puree, except my daughters aren't fans of mashed textures. Instead, I turn to roasting, a simple technique that slowly coaxes out the natural sweet and nutty flavors.

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There’s been much talk in our house about what to leave out for Santa come Christmas Eve. Recently the conversation turned towards a healthier note. After discussing the merits of gingerbread vs. chocolate chip cookies, my two and half year old pointed towards the fruit bowl on the counter. I said “you want you leave Santa some clementines”? Not only did she say yes—she decided he might like some bananas and apples too.

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This time of year brings out the baker in everyone—my oldest daughter has been helping since she was old enough to sit upright on the counter. Before you break out the butter, set a plan so you can all rejoice in mission accomplished and cozy up with a warm cup of cocoa to reward a day of baking fun. Here are some tips to make sure kids of all ages have a fun and safe time in the kitchen.

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Whether you’re trekking by plane, train or automobile this holiday season, traveling with kids in tow adds another layer of planning. Use these tips to keep it safe, sane and fun for the whole family.

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While dairy-laden mashed potatoes or bourbon glazed turkeys aren’t suitable for baby’s developing digestive system, there are plenty of ways to indulge her new appetite for solids in your Thanksgiving menu.

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Switching from breastmilk or formula to solids is an exciting moment, for mommy and baby alike. Even more fun, is graduating to finger foods. By time baby hits the 8 to 10 month mark, she’s likely started showing an interest in what you’re eating. I remember when my little one, now 2 1/2 years old, would watch us intently spoon mouthfuls of pasta during dinnertime. It didn’t take long for me to realize a mutiny would begin if I didn’t move past solids and let her have in on the fun.

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Everyone has a tried and true tip for getting their kids to try new foods. Parenting magazines are always touting how to please fussy eaters. But, what if we stopped playing tricks? What if we just told kids what they were eating?

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My childhood is filled with memories of many a Halloween with our costumes cloaked in coats, barely visible to the neighbors we were politely shaking down for candy. So goes the weather in New York. You just never know whether to expect mild or downright cold temperatures for what many kids consider to be the most important day of the year. Luckily, all it takes is some planning to make sure your kiddies have a very happy Halloween.

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“Eat your veggies.” What mom hasn’t uttered that phrase, at least once, to their children? The best way to prepare for battle is to arm yourself with great tasting recipes. The best way to raise a good eater is to let them know what you’re really serving up. This way if they love it, they’ll know what to ask for, and eventually seek out as they get older.

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Thirty years ago, my younger self would never believe I’m expounding the virtues of Brussels sprouts. Back then they were my arch enemy at lunchtime. What I didn’t know back then was that Brussels sprouts could be downright delicious if prepared properly.

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The sight of apples and pears is a delicious one this time of year. When my daughter started eating solids, she had the great luck of it coinciding with the fall harvest. Apples and pears abound, and they’re gentle on little tummies just learning to digest foods beyond breastmilk and formula.

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We all want our children to develop a healthy relationship with food. Instilling a true enjoyment of cooking will help ensure they know what to do with those ingredients once they leave the home cooked comfort of your kitchen.

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Teething can be a headache for the whole family. Luckily, these soothing pops act as really cool edible teethers too-a treat children of all ages can enjoy.

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There comes a time when nearly every parent watches their toddler running through the house with a bottle hanging out of her mouth and wonders, “Maybe it’s time we move to a sippy cup”. You may know it’s the right time, but your child probably thinks differently. Here are some loving, supportive, child-centered things you can do to make the transition a little easier on everyone.

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Sweets seem to tempt our children every corner they turn. Even an active sports camp wasn’t a safe haven for this foodie mama. What I thought would be an afternoon energizer after a day of swimming, skating and dodge ball, turned out to be ice cream, ices and jello. All under the guise of snack.