Happy Friday! Today I have just a couple things to share for Show and Tell today.

First, here are some articles I wrote for Cool Mom Eats. (The fries are awesome, by the way.)

• How to make homemade freezer French fries
• The best stir fry recipes for kids and parents too

And, a few quick Netflix shoutouts! Happy Valley has a second season (woohoo!) and it will be on Netflix on March 16. And DAREDEVIL. Season 2 is almost here, coming March 18! We can’t wait!

That’s it! Short and sweet! Have a great weekend and, as always, if you have something to share please leave it in the comments!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team, which means they send me cool stuff from time to time. For the record, I would be addicted to Netflix in spite of said cool stuff.

Happy Weekend! I meant to write up this Show and Tell yesterday but…well…NBC Nightly News (!!!) came to our home to film the kids and me making dinner, while interviewing me about the “natural” food labels. It was awesome and a really fun experience, although now that it’s done, I think I’d rather not watch it. 😉 If it looks like the story will air, I will of course let you all know. All I know right now is it will probably air early next week. You never know in the news world!

So, here’s what I was going to share yesterday…

I was recently introduced to the company A Heirloom, a husband-and-wife team based in Brooklyn that makes beautiful cutting boards and other handmade items. I’m pretty much addicted to cutting boards, so this company is right up my alley. Among my favorite A Heirloom items are the state-shaped boards, cocktail muddlers, and cake stands. A Heirloom graciously sent me the thin based maple cake stand and it is, quite simply, lovely. My cake stand is 10 inches in diameter and about 5 1/2 inches tall. They also have larger 14-inch cake stands as well as mini 4-inch cake stands. If you’re looking for a great gift option or are addicted to cutting boards like me, be sure to check them out!

And I have a bunch of articles over at Cool Mom Eats you should check out, too!

• 6 kid-friendly, non-meat sources of protein and ideas for how to prepare them.
• 6 easy breakfast for dinner recipes that go way beyond pancakes.
• Skinny snack dips”¦ so that you can eat more chips, of course.
• How to make tea eggs with kids for Chinese New Year. (You need to check these out…so pretty!)

That’s it for today. See you tomorrow with the weekly menu! And, as always, feel free to share whatever you like in the comments!

Happy Friday! It’s been a few weeks since the last Show and Tell and it’s fun to be back. I love sharing links!

First, Netflix. There are two shows we must discuss.

#1: The Great British Baking Show. Over the last few months I’ve frequently seen articles about how everyone loves The Great British Baking Show on PBS, and yet I resisted. It’s like when the Harry Potter books came out, I didn’t buy into the hype. In fact, I fought the hype. But when I finally gave in, well, I realized it wasn’t hype because Harry Potter is the greatest thing of all time. My experience with The Great British Baking Show has been similar. While nothing can be like Harry Potter, I will admit that this PBS baking show from Britain is 100% completely lovable and addictive and lives up to the hype. The first season is on Netflix, so Nate and I turned it on while wrapping presents on Christmas Eve. We were hooked after the first episode. It’s a great show. My only question is, why so much sponge cake, British people? There is so much sponge cake on this show. Copious amounts of sponge cake. As the saying goes, if you like sponge cake, you’ll love The Great British Baking Show. (You’ll still love the show even if you don’t like sponge cake, by the way.)

#2: Making a Murderer. Like Serial, Making a Murderer has taken the world by storm. If you haven’t watched it yet, prepare to not only be addicted but angered and perplexed and sad ALL THE TIME. I know, that doesn’t make it seem like I’m trying to get you to watch it, but I am. Really. Watch it. Just make sure you’re ready to stay up late and be a zombie for about a week.

As for food links, I have two for you this week:

• 5 Easy, Healthy Food Substitutions at Cool Mom Eats
• 3-Ingredient Cocktail Party Recipes at Cool Mom Eats

That’s it for today! And remember, Show and Tell is for the whole class! Share your own stuff in the comments. Especially if that stuff involves theories about Making a Murderer!!!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team, which means they send me cool stuff from time to time. For the record, I would be addicted to Netflix in spite of said cool stuff.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving! I hope you are all sufficiently stuffed. I know I am. Before we get on with this week’s Show and Tell, I need to tell you about my turkey this year. I spatchcocked it. And dry brined it. And roasted it in mayo. And it was PERFECT. So perfect, in fact, I am going to do a whole post about the process. In related news, I was so inspired by my podcast interview with Kate Lebo earlier this week I ended up making all of our pies from scratch. And it was good. So good. Anyway, more posts to come on all of that, but for today how about some links and TV shows?

First off, food links. For Cool Mom Eats I dug up some really delicious turkey leftover recipes, perfect for this weekend! And, on Babble this month, I kinda went crazy with the kids’ food art.

• For Cool Mom Eats: How to use leftover turkey in the most delicious ways.
• For Babble: Toy Story Food Art: Wheezy Cheese and Crackers
• For Babble: Rainbow Fraggle Rock Cupcakes

As I mentioned before, I’m wiped out after cooking all week, so we’re just gonna relax today. Much of that relaxing is going to involve getting caught up on The Voice and watching Netflix. Nate and I started Jessica Jones last night after the kids went to bed. We keep hearing how awesome that show is and, one episode in, I think it just might live up to the hype. Oh, and one more fun Netflix thing! ‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving…when a big box of funny goodies from Netflix arrived on our doorstep celebrating the new Care Bears & Cousins series. (The package included scrunchies. I don’t know if I can forgive Netflix for introducing scrunchies to my girls. Anna hasn’t stopped wearing them since Wednesday. Oh my.) I totally loved Care Bears as a kid (I had the Cheer Bear plush toy!), so it will be fun to watch it with the kids. Hug it out! 🙂

That’s it! Go eat some leftovers. And more pie. And, as always, comment with your own show and tell!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team, which means they send me cool stuff from time to time. For the record, I would be addicted to Netflix in spite of said cool stuff.

Happy Friday! Soccer season is over around these parts, so I’m looking forward to our first weekend with nothing on the calendar. Sadly I think most of that free time will be spent cleaning the disaster that is our house!

There is a lot to share today. Ready, set, GO!

I have a bunch of food links for today, most of them perfect for Thanksgiving!

• How to make the best turkey gravy on Cool Mom Eats
• 7 Awesome Stuffing Recipes on Cool Mom Eats
• Easy Turkey Recipes and Tips on Cool Mom Eats
• Kid-Made Snack: Bagel Snowmen on Babble (these are SO cute and easy!)
• Recipe for Nate’s Great-Grandmother’s Creamed Onions on Babble

And, before we go, just want to share two great causes quickly. It’s the giving season!

When Cate was in preschool many moons ago, there was a really wonderful group of moms in that classroom. We were all very different from one another but everyone got along beautifully. One of the moms, Rachel Lorkin, had a baby around that time, a little boy named Luke with chromosome 15q duplication. Rachel has an Etsy shop where she sells some of her artwork, which serves as a respite in her otherwise hectic life. From now through December, 100% of the sale price on any of her items will go to the Chromosome 15q Duplication Aliance, an organization that supports research and kindness for families like Rachel’s. If you’ve started your holiday shopping, check it out! It’s a great cause! (The robots on canvas are RIDICULOUSLY cute.)

Second, last week I had the chance to be a guest judge for a high school speech tournament at an non-profit called Reality Changers here in San Diego. It is absolutely astounding what this non-profit is doing for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to help get them into college. I was very impressed and loved meeting a few of the kids in the program. If you’re in San Diego and looking for a non-profit to get involved with, definitely check out the volunteer opportunities at Reality Changers. If you’re not in San Diego and would like to support the program with a donation, click here.

That’s it from me today. If you have anything you’d like to share, please do!

Happy Friday, everyone! Before we get to the usual Show and Tell portion of our program, I have to tell you about my friend’s new book!

Amy Mascott (my friend!) and Allison McDonald are just published their new book Raising a Rock-Star Reader and it’s wonderful! I received an advanced copy and it is filled with all kinds of wonderful tips, recommendations and resources for getting your children to be great readers. Years I ago I had the chance to hear a lecture from a UC Berkeley professor who specialized in early education. She talked at length about why it is so beneficial to read to children from a very early age – the very act of hearing varied language and many words helps children’s brains develop in tremendous ways. It was fascinating and something I’ve thought about a lot as we’ve raised our children.

Anna and Cate are both rock-star readers (I am grateful every day for this) and will probably be as excited to read Amy and Allison’s book as I am. Owen is still a wee thing and the tips in this book are fabulous. I can’t wait to start implementing the ideas with all three of our kids!

Of course you know I love giveaways! So, let’s give away a copy of Amy and Allison’s book! To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment telling us your most favorite children’s book. That’s it! Comments must be posted by Midnight PT 11/13/15 and prize must be shipped within the U.S.

Congratulations to Amy and Allison for a job very well done on their wonderful book! Here’s to happy readers!

And, since it’s Friday, a few links to share!

• On Cool Mom Eats: Scrumptious side dishes made with frozen vegetables to make life easy.
• On Babble: Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes that are amaaaaaazing.

One last thing! Nate and I discovered Les Revenants (The Returned) on Netflix and it’s AWESOME. I’m always looking out for your TV watching. It’s because I care.

Okay, so, be sure to leave a comment to enter the giveaway above! And, as always, feel free to share whatever you want for Show and Tell!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team, which means they send me cool stuff from time to time. For the record, I would be addicted to Netflix in spite of said cool stuff.

It’s Friday and tomorrow is Halloween! Woohoo!

I have several things to share today. On your marks, get set, GO!

Image source: Fork and Beans

First, a few fun food links!

• I’ve started writing for Cool Mom Eats, the food site for Cool Mom Picks. It’s a great team and a great site and I’m excited! My first post is up, just in time for tomorrow! 5 Freakishly Easy Halloween Dinners that are super cute and simple, too!
• And on Parade’s Community Table: 12 Layered Recipes That Are Filled with Flavorful Surprises

Image source: American Street Kid

I also wanted to share a documentary with you today. My friend Stacia Fiore has been working with homeless kids for years. She has been an outreach counselor in Oceanside, CA for a very long time and is now a mentor/consultant/board member/all around awesome person for the new documentary American Street Kid. As the team was working on the film, they also started a non-profit called Spare Some Change, an organization that aims to use arts and media to raise awareness about homeless youth as well as create a one-on-one mentoring program and new kind of housing facility. They’re doing great work and I can’t wait to see the doc. I am so happy to help Stacia spread the word. Be sure to check it out! And you can click here to see a trailer for the movie.

I just realized after uploading this photo that you can see “My List” and our “Recently Watched” shows. Thankfully there is nothing embarrassing in there!

Last thing. I’m joining the Netflix Stream Team for another year because, as you know, I’m obsessed with Netflix and television so it JUST MAKES SENSE. This year Netflix generously gave us a Roku TV, which arrived last week! We have had a Roku box and an Apple TV for years and we never use the Apple TV. Combine the Roku with the TV and we are in love! Our living room TV is a Samsung Smart TV and it works pretty well for Netflix and whatnot, but not great. The Roku TV is seamless, fast and perfect for streaming all kinds of content. Also, I started watching Jane the Virgin. It is super cute. For some strange reason I couldn’t get Nate to watch it with me…

And, since you can tell that my new Roku TV is sitting on a dresser…yes, we have a TV in our bedroom. I was always morally against televisions in the bedroom, then about 2 years ago we decided to give it a try. All the dire things that everyone warns you against with having a TV in your room didn’t happen. Our TV watching didn’t increase, we still use the bedroom as a bedroom, we don’t fall asleep with the TV on every night, yadayadayada…all the stuff I was worried about is no big deal. So, just sayin’, YEAH, I have a TV in my room and I love it! 😉

That’s it for this week! As usual, show and tell is for the whole class! Pop on into the conversation! Share your own blog posts, things you’ve recently discovered, or tell us what you think about TVs in the bedroom. It’s all fair game!

I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team, which means they send me cool stuff from time to time. For the record, I would be addicted to Netflix in spite of said cool stuff.