Cooking with the Moms

On this week's show, we celebrate the lazy days of summer with two new kebab recipes. They're perfect for the outdoor grill. Our Very Veggie Kebabs provide a sure-fire way to get kids excited about eating their vegetables. The zucchini, bell peppers and mushrooms in this simple side dish get soft and sweet as they caramelize on the grill. Our second recipe for Hoisin BBQ Kebabs with Pineapple Salsa calls for top sirloin steak, a lean cut of beef, and features a super flavorful salsa on the side.

Strawberries are one of our favorite summertime fruits. Naturally sweet and packed with vitamin C and manganese (a nutrient important for normal bone formation), they're ideal for snacks and desserts. In this week's show, we share two terrific recipes. The first is a playful recipe for Strawberry Shortcake on a Bun ... perfect for a healthy afternoon nibble or a summer cookout. The second, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Buffet, is one of those recipes that encourages kids of all ages to eat more fruit.

Strawberries are one of our favorite summertime fruits. Naturally sweet and packed with vitamin C and manganese (a nutrient important for normal bone formation), they're ideal for snacks and desserts. In this week's show, we share two terrific recipes. The first is a playful recipe for Strawberry Shortcake on a Bun ... perfect for a healthy afternoon nibble or a summer cookout. The second, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Buffet, is one of those recipes that encourages kids of all ages to eat more fruit.

A lot of the conventional advice about what to eat before, during, and after pregnancy has changed quite a bit since we had kids. For the latest, greatest diet recommendations, we turned to Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of the new book, Expect the Best. On this week's Cooking with the Moms' podcast, she shares a lot of surprising information. For example, did you know that when couples are trying to get pregnant, dads-to-be should take a daily multivitamin? The reason is that men need folic acid, vitamin C, and zinc for healthy sperm formation. Another surprise: Pregnant women, on average, consume about 54 milligrams of DHA omega-3 fat per day though their needs are much higher at 200 to 300 milligrams. To put that recommendation into perspective, consider that a 3-ounce serving of salmon has 740 milligrams. For lots of interesting pregnancy guidelines as well as Elizabeth's Salmon Burger recipe, be sure to tune into the show!

A lot of the conventional advice about what to eat before, during, and after pregnancy has changed quite a bit since we had kids. For the latest, greatest diet recommendations, we turned to Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of the new book, Expect the Best. On this week's Cooking with the Moms' podcast, she shares a lot of surprising information. For example, did you know that when couples are trying to get pregnant, dads-to-be should take a daily multivitamin? The reason is that men need folic acid, vitamin C, and zinc for healthy sperm formation. Another surprise: Pregnant women, on average, consume about 54 milligrams of DHA omega-3 fat per day though their needs are much higher at 200 to 300 milligrams. To put that recommendation into perspective, consider that a 3-ounce serving of salmon has 740 milligrams. For lots of interesting pregnancy guidelines as well as Elizabeth's Salmon Burger recipe, be sure to tune into the show!

Recently, Liz overheard one of her son's 10-year old friends say, "I have to eat junk food because I'm too skinny." Liz's ears perked up because this thin, physically fit 4th grade boy was by no means "underweight." There are two common misconceptions we hear bantered about all the time: The first is that if a child is skinny, he must be "underweight." The second is that skinny kids should eat junk food in order to gain weight. To set the record straight, we explain how doctors and dietitians calculate a child's weight (technically, an "underweight' child falls below the 5th percentile for age and gender), share tips for adding high-quality calories to an underweight child's diet, and serve up two delicious recipes packed with great nutrition: Ham & Cheesy Breakfast Sandwiches and Krispy PB & Chocolate Treats.

Recently, Liz overheard one of her son's 10-year old friends say, "I have to eat junk food because I'm too skinny." Liz's ears perked up because this thin, physically fit 4th grade boy was by no means "underweight." There are two common misconceptions we hear bantered about all the time: The first is that if a child is skinny, he must be "underweight." The second is that skinny kids should eat junk food in order to gain weight. To set the record straight, we explain how doctors and dietitians calculate a child's weight (technically, an "underweight' child falls below the 5th percentile for age and gender), share tips for adding high-quality calories to an underweight child's diet, and serve up two delicious recipes packed with great nutrition: Ham & Cheesy Breakfast Sandwiches and Krispy PB & Chocolate Treats.

Today's show is flush with information on kids and constipation and simple lifestyle strategies designed to keep kids regular. There are various reasons children (and adults for that matter) get constipated: not enough fiber in the diet, lack of physical activity, ignoring the urge to have a movement, and dehydration. On the show, we focus on fiber, offering busy parents lots of tips for adding more roughage-rich foods during meals and snacks.

Today's show is flush with information on kids and constipation and simple lifestyle strategies designed to keep kids regular. There are various reasons children (and adults for that matter) get constipated: not enough fiber in the diet, lack of physical activity, ignoring the urge to have a movement, and dehydration. On the show, we focus on fiber, offering busy parents lots of tips for adding more roughage-rich foods during meals and snacks.

On this week's show, we answer many of the questions we hear on the soccer field sideline and in the basketball stands: "What are the best kinds of carbs for kids?" "Does protein really build strong muscles, and do kids who play sports need more than kids who don't?" And, "are sports drinks really necessary?" To help us answer those questions and many more, Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark's Sport's Nutrition Guidebook, joins us in the studio. Nancy also share some of kid-friendly recipes from her book: Sugar & Spice Trail Mix, Homemade Sports Drink, and Crushed Tortilla Chip Casserole.

On this week's show, we answer many of the questions we hear on the soccer field sideline and in the basketball stands: "What are the best kinds of carbs for kids?" "Does protein really build strong muscles, and do kids who play sports need more than kids who don't?" And, "are sports drinks really necessary?" To help us answer those questions and many more, Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark's Sport's Nutrition Guidebook, joins us in the studio. Nancy also share some of kid-friendly recipes from her book: Sugar & Spice Trail Mix, Homemade Sports Drink, and Crushed Tortilla Chip Casserole.

'Tis the season for baby and bridal showers. If you're looking for clever party ideas or delicious and nutritious recipes, this is the show for you! On today's Cooking with the Moms, we're joined by Emily Miles Terry, author of Postcards from the Bump: A Chick's Guide to Getting to Know the Baby in Your Belly. Emily shares two recipes: Little Monkey Muffins and Pasta Salad with Chicken, Tomatoes, and Corn, and she offers some really cool party themes for your next bridal or baby shower. Some of our favorite themes are "Once Upon a Time," "Green/Eco-Friendly," and "Showered with Advice."

'Tis the season for baby and bridal showers. If you're looking for clever party ideas or delicious and nutritious recipes, this is the show for you! On today's Cooking with the Moms, we're joined by Emily Miles Terry, author of Postcards from the Bump: A Chick's Guide to Getting to Know the Baby in Your Belly. Emily shares two recipes: Little Monkey Muffins and Pasta Salad with Chicken, Tomatoes, and Corn, and she offers some really cool party themes for your next bridal or baby shower. Some of our favorite themes are "Once Upon a Time," "Green/Eco-Friendly," and "Showered with Advice."

Did you know that our food choices have as much of an impact on the planet as the cars we drive? In fact, the average American's diet creates an estimated 2.8 tons of carbon emissions each year – tha t's more than we generate through driving. On this week's podcast, we're joined by Kate Geagan, author of Eat Green, Get Lean. She offers tips for eating green – compost your food waste, join a CSA, buy energy efficient appliances – along with two delicious recipes: Hearty Corn Muffins and Tofu Cashew Stir-Fry with Sugar Snap Peas. To find these and other recipes, visit http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/.

Did you know that our food choices have as much of an impact on the planet as the cars we drive? In fact, the average American's diet creates an estimated 2.8 tons of carbon emissions each year – tha t's more than we generate through driving. On this week's podcast, we're joined by Kate Geagan, author of Eat Green, Get Lean. She offers tips for eating green – compost your food waste, join a CSA, buy energy efficient appliances – along with two delicious recipes: Hearty Corn Muffins and Tofu Cashew Stir-Fry with Sugar Snap Peas. To find these and other recipes, visit http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/.