Food & Dining

I remember the first time I went to Trader Joe’s. I was visiting my sister-in-law in Chicago and stopped by the adorable corner store to see what all the hype was about. It was love at first visit for me, even though I bizarrely chose to get the dried seaweed which I then ate on the train much to my in-law’s befuddlement. Trader Joe’s arrived in Baton Rouge in the fall of 2015, and it was one of the happiest days of my life. Am I joking? Not sure. One of the best things about TJ's is the constant rotation of new and seasonal items. Right now it's Pumpkin Palooza--pumpkin-flavored everything-- and it's a super fun vibe to shop...

Who doesn't love an after-school snack break? After a long week of the daily grind, my family loves to venture off schedule on Friday afternoons for a treat. Below are a few of our favorite stops which offer options a little healthier than the typical sno cones and ice cream. Playa Bowls Located near Burbank and Lee, this place takes the acai bowl to a whole new level. With multiple options for the base of the bowl and an infinite number of topping combinations, there is a bowl for everyone. Not a fan of the bowl, Playa Bowls also offers delicious smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices. New to the menu are a selection of coffees for those needing caffeine on a...

Mommy, I'm hungry! Mommy, what's for dinner? I'm Not a Chef! I can admit that I’m not the best cook. Some nights, I just don’t even feel like trying to come up with a meal. That doesn’t stop my family from being hungry though! With the kids growing tired of macaroni, grilled cheese sandwiches, or cereal, I had to come up with a new dinner idea. Lazy Mom = Best Dinner Ever! Introducing weekly charcuterie board nights! This has quickly become my kids’ favorite meal, and for me, it is one of the easiest. My family thinks that charcuterie board nights are special and fun when in reality I’ve just put whatever I could find in the fridge and pantry onto a wooden tray....

In an effort to show our kids as much of the country as possible, my husband and I started gifting Spring Break trips as Christmas gifts to our two children a couple of years back. Our kids love traveling and have seen many states in their young years. Last year we when we were deciding on where our next adventure will be to, it was really a no-brainer. The most beautiful National Park of them all: Zion in southern Utah. Zion is located about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas right outside of Springdale, UT. Flying into Vegas and driving to Springdale is the most common way to get there if you are not from the area. While the drive might sound...

I’m happy to shout to the rooftops that I don’t have a picky eater (so far). It’s convenient to not make a separate “kid’s meal” at home. It’s better for my grocery budget to not have to buy so many different things. It’s easier to eat out when we can split an entrée. She is more willing to try new things when we go to a restaurant or someone’s house to eat. This is what works for us. I had to do a great deal of trial and error to get here. Feel free to take, tweak, and reject any of the following. The worst thing you can do is not try! The “stranger” the main dish is, the more...