The Home Hour Podcast

Building Boys founder Jennifer Fink and I discuss how current education trends can fail boys, why and how boys and girls develop at different rates physically, mentally and emotionally, and how parents can create more boy-friendly homes.

From retro recipes to surrendering at the supermarket, Planting Dandelions author and blogger Kyran Pittman and I discuss balancing creativity and domesticity.

In this episode I talk to friend and fellow blogger Stephanie Precourt about her big move to a small town, kids and food allergies, living gluten-free, and the Listen To Your Mother show. I also shared what's going on in my kitchen this week: Upper Peninsula pasties (no, not that kind) and foolproof crusty bread.

  Have you ever thought about what it might be like to live "hands free" - setting aside some of the digital distractions and outwardly-imposed priorities to focus on what really matters? Today's podcast guest, Rachel Macy Stafford, decided to do just that when she felt that her rushed life as a "go-to" volunteer mom with a packed social circle just didn't match up with the kind of life she wanted to be experiencing with her two young daughters. I absolutely loved talking with Rachel - she's warm, compassionate, and full of insights about how to let go of the endless pressure to achieve something "out there," and turn some of that attention toward the people and experiences right in front of you - those that really matter. In our interview, Rachel and I talk about using technology without letting it take over your life, how to carefully choose opportunities that really support your values, and her brand-new book Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down The Phone, Burning The To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! A few of the links Rachel and I discussed: The Important Thing about Yelling, one of Rachel's recent essays on HuffPo The Day I Stopped Saying "Hurry Up" - one of her most shared posts Life is a Verb, by Patty Digh. Rachel highly recommends this book and credits it with helping her find clarity and to commit to a hands-free lifestyle. In addition to reading her book, you can join Rachel on her journey to let go of distraction, perfection, and societal pressure to grasp what really matters by visiting www.handsfreemama.com or “The Hands Free Revolution” on Facebook. Scroll down and hit "play" or listen in iTunes! Thanks for listening! If you liked this show, I'd LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here's how to do it: If you’re an iTunes user, visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes”. From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. If you’d prefer to listen on your iPhone or iPod, download the Podcasts app and search for The Kitchen Hour – it’s easy to subscribe right in the app!

These days, it seems like everyone and her sister writes - or used to write - a blog. But in the early to mid-2000s, say the word "blog" to your grandma and you'd probably get a blank stare, and the idea of earning a living by writing about your family life online was still a fantasy. In this episode of The Kitchen Hour Podcast, blogger, author, and mom of four Rebecca Woolf - who's been blogging since "the olden days" - and I discuss coming of age and angst in the pre-Facebook days, surprise motherhood, making up the holidays as you go along, professional blogging, and what it means to write and earn a living from your words in today's very connected world. Some of the things Rebecca and I discussed: Her quirkily awesome sense of style, in particular this vintage 1980s pantsuit, which led me to accost her in the hall at a conference and ask where she got it. above: Rebecca speaking on a panel at the 2013 Mom 2.0 Summit (pictured with the lovely Jessica Ashley) and also, an action shot in her hotel room. We talked about Rebecca's 2008 book Rockabye, the phase of life she was in when she wrote it, and how painful and awkward it can be to go back and read things we associate strongly with certain periods of our lives. The original Elf on a Shelf apparently lived in Rebecca's childhood home. Who knew? Here he is, still alive but a little rough around the edges. We covered so much ground, from the punk-rock roots of blogging to bad tattoos, becoming a mom at a young age, rebelling against rebellion, and more. Rebecca was so engaging, warm, and witty - don't wait to listen to this episode! To hear the podcast, just click the “play” button at the bottom of the post, or you can subscribe in iTunes. Find Rebecca Woolf online: Girl's Gone Child Rebecca's Twitter Thanks for listening! If you liked this show, I’d LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here’s how to do it: If you’re an iTunes user, visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes”. From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. If you’d prefer to listen on your iPhone or iPod, download the Podcasts app and search for The Kitchen Hour – it’s easy to subscribe right in the app! *Amazon links are affiliates. If you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

  Since I can remember, the media has been battling it out over whether or not women can "have it all," and recently, the consensus seems to lean toward "no." But what if we just need a new definition of what "having it all" means? Today I talked with my friend, blogger and video personality Danielle Smith, about just that. We discussed everything from Danielle's background in television, to how much the Internet has changed the landscape of work and life, to kids and snacking. And we also discussed our new venture: The New Having It All Show! Click over to see the show live on Wednesday, December 11 at 1 PM EST, or watch the recording later. You can also see last week's episode on YouTube.  To hear the podcast, just click the “play” button at the bottom of the post, or you can subscribe in iTunes. Here's how to find out more about Danielle: Extraordinary Mommy - Danielle's blog Danielle's YouTube Channel.  Danielle's Twitter Danielle's G+  Thanks for listening! If you liked this show, I'd LOVE for you to subscribe or leave a rating or review on iTunes. Here's how to do it: If you’re an iTunes user, visit the podcast page here and click “View in iTunes”. From there you’ll see an option to subscribe, and all new episodes will download to your computer automatically. You’ll also see a tab in iTunes called Ratings and Reviews. If you’d prefer to listen on your iPhone or iPod, download the Podcasts app and search for The Kitchen Hour – it’s easy to subscribe right in the app!    

Are traditions something you have to "create" or do they just happen? How can you give kids the chance to do traditional holiday activities like sitting on Santa's lap without stressing yourself out (or scaring the lights out of them?) And just what is up with the Elf on the Shelf suddenly being the new parental obligation? Sarah Powers and I discuss our holiday traditions - and how we're letting them unfold naturally over time.

If you love vintage aprons and swoon over flaky pies served up on jadeite dishes - or just like to hear inspiring stories of women who pursue a passion and make it both their lifeblood and their livelihood - you'll love this episode of The Kitchen Hour Podcast! In it, I chat with Linda Hundt, owner of the Sweetie-Licious Bakery Cafe in Dewitt, Michigan and now Grand Rapids, Michigan; and author of the new cookbook Sweetie-Licious Pies: Eat Pie, Love Life. Chatting with Linda was such a treat. She's an ambitious woman with big dreams, who still believes in the power of slowing down and enjoying the little pleasures of life - like spending time with family and friends, hanging out in the kitchen, and biting into a slice of warm, home-baked pie. In the podcast we talk about everything from vintage Easy-Bake Ovens to getting over the fear of making a pie crust, to pursuing big dreams and doing what really matters to you. To hear the podcast, just click the “play” button at the bottom of the post, or you can subscribe in iTunes.  Here are links to some of the things Linda and I discussed in the show: note: all Amazon links are affiliate. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission (at no extra cost to you.) Sweetie-Licious's Sticky Toffee Pudding Caramel Apple Pie was named one of America's Best Pies by Food and Wine Magazine. Linda shared a touching story about the inspiration behind her Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie, which won Best of Show on the at the Crisco National Pie Championships / Food Network Pie Challenge. Here's a short clip featuring Linda taking the prize! Linda and I discussed the slower joys of canning. Here's a blog post Linda wrote on the topic, and if you're interested in trying out canning on a small scale, try the Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit I mentioned in the podcast. (I have two - they are a really easy way to get started or process just a few cans at a time!) Last but not least, be sure to check out Linda's book, Sweetie-Licious Pies: Eat Pie, Love Life on Amazon or at her website. You can also find her on Facebook. I hope you loved this episode of The Kitchen Hour Podcast! Be sure to leave a comment letting me know what you thought, or if you just want to say "hi" to Linda.

Finally! After a hiatus, The Kitchen Hour Podcast is back. In the intro to today's episode I gave a little explanation of my "break" - and a peep at the exciting things ahead. So glad to be back! Today's guest is Candace Walsh, author of Licking the Spoon: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Identity. Candace and I chatted about everything from love and marriage to kids with finicky palates, and especially her book, which tells the tale of a young woman coming of age via the cookbooks she most identified with at different stages of her life. Please click the “play” button at the bottom of the post to listen in your browser, or you can download on iTunes. Here are some links to some books and authors Candace and I discussed during the podcast: (note: all Amazon links are affiliates. If you make a purchase, I will receive a commission.) Candace mentions Daniel Boulud having an influence on her cooking as a young married woman. His most recent book is Daniel: My French Cuisine. When we chatted, Candace was enjoying the friendship through diversity represented in Jerusalem: A Cookbook As promised, here is "that" picture of Candace that was, um, defaced at a Trader Joe's. (Followed by one of her eight years older, but looking years younger!) And here's a link to the essay Candace wrote about her Trader Joe's photo (the essay ended up on the Huffington Post, after all.) An excerpt: "Until I was waiting in line for the restroom at Trader Joe's. On the wall: a bulletin board with photographs of happy customers. One: a vaguely familiar mother with a baby in a sling, wearing an ugly calico nursing shirt. The baby was pulling her hair. Her toddler was doing her best to fall out of the wagon, as she reached for a glass jar. The woman looked run-down and frumpy, but she was smiling gamely for the camera. Oh. My. God. That woman was me."  Here are some other places you can find Candace online: Twitter: @CandaceWalsh Like Candace's Facebook page Follow Candace on Pinterest And last but not least, one of Candace's favorite recipes - a super-fresh salad featuring lots of textures and flavors, with a homemade vinaigrette. Kimber’s Vinaigrette and Salad Yield: 6–8 servings Salad About 6 cups mixed greens 1 avocado, sliced 1 ruby red grapefruit, halved, pieces segmented out from the membranes (do this step over the bowl of greens so that the juices drip in) Vinaigrette Dressing 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 ∕3 cup balsamic vinegar 1–2 tablespoons tamari 1 tablespoon grainy or Dijon mustard 1 clove minced garlic Add all ingredients to 1-quart mason jar or other sealable container. Shake, taste, add more vinegar if desired. (I add a squirt of honey and salt and pepper, too.) Kimber got this recipe from her first husband’s dad, her son’s grandpa Will. I hope you enjoy my chat with Candace! I'd love to hear what you think of this podcast, and what kind of interviews you'd like to hear in future ones. Disclaimer: Amazon links within this post are affiliate, so I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Authors Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest make a case for a slower, more relaxed parenting style as extolled in their popular book, Minimalist Parenting.

In the podcast Laura and I discuss the "new math," how to beef up your child's (and your own!) "numeracy" (numerical literacy), how to find the fun in numbers, and why math really, really doesn't have to be scary.

  This week I'm so excited to feature Amy Allen Clark, founder of the extremely helpful site MomAdvice.com and author of the fantastic new book The Good Life For Less. I'm lucky enough to have had the opportunity to hang out with Amy in person a few times, and we even danced together on a rooftop in Miami once (yes, for real!) She's just as sweet and adorable in real life as she seems online, and I was thrilled to chat with her about her new book, entertaining on a budget, simplifying life, the best ways to use a slow cooker and more. This is a great interview, and a long-awaited one: we recorded it before Christmas (hence all the holiday-related chatter!) but there were some technical difficulties that took a long time to edit out (and you might notice, there are still a few glitches here and there). Also, I had a cold and sound a little like a frog during our chat. Yikes! But the interview was just too great not to air. Just click the player below to stream it right here in your browser, or download in iTunes. Looking forward to joining you in the kitchen this week! Show Links: My Food Manifesto - Please share what would be in yours! The Complete Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn Alice.com for drugstore deals Sam's Club Click 'n' Pull Service Microwave Peanut Brittle - MomAdvice One Month of Slow Cooking - MomAdvice The Good Life For Less by Amy Allen Clark Ninja Slow Cooker - Amazon.com *If you purchase a product via an Amazon affiliate link, I will earn a commission.

It's back! After a longer-than-intended hiatus, The Kitchen Hour Podcast has returned with a great new episode featuring my friend Kate Hanley, yoga instructor, coach, author and creator of MsMindBody.com. As I explain in this episode, I took a much-needed break over the holiday to catch my breath, but also to strategize some new ways to make The Kitchen Hour Podcast more helpful, more inspiring, and more fun! I'll be rolling out some new ideas over the next few months, and couldn't be more excited...but really, I'm just glad to be back and recording again. In the interview, Kate and I talk about everything from yoga and meditation, to slowing down in your "real" life, to finding the right people to tell about Big, Exciting Plans (note: it's not the Debbie Downer, or Worst-Case-Scenario-Wanda in your circle of friends or family). Kate shares her ideas for switching up your perspective when feeling stuck and cranky, and even ends up giving me an on-the-spot coaching session when I let it slip that I'm still feeling grumpy about a certain laundry issue that happened the night before! I also talk a little about my strategies for reducing food waste and how my mindset about grocery shopping has changed over the years. You won't want to miss this episode - so go ahead and stream it right here in your browser (below) or download in iTunes, and let us keep you company while you're in the kitchen!  Show Links: The salmon cake recipe I mention while talking about leftovers, plus my post about food waste. Kate's book, The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide. Information about Kate's Yoga Playhouse - one just ended but she schedules them periodically! Kate's coaching services geared specifically toward busy moms. 

This week on The Kitchen Hour Podcast, I talk with Tsh Oxenreider of Simple Mom about simplifying the holiday, giving back, her newly-announced forthcoming book, and her experiences living and raising a family in Turkey (and how that compares and contrasts with "normal" life in the United States.) Just scroll down to the bottom of the post and click the little "play" button, or download the podcast in iTunes! Some of the links and resources Tsh and I talk about in the podcast include: Tsh announces her forthcoming book, Intention Operation Christmas Child Compassion International. Also check out Tsh's brand-new post about helping children and mothers in Ethiopia by supporting a village via the Child Survival Program. Tsh and I discussed this post: Dear School Teachers, by Mary McCarthy of Pajamas and Coffee. I'm so grateful to have all of you along for the ride for my 7th podcast! In 2013, I plan to add new elements to make the podcasts as fresh, entertaining and helpful as possible.   So I want to hear from you: in addition to interviews with interesting people, what would you love to keep you company while you get dinner on the table? Tips, resources, humor, news?   Let me know in the comments or drop me an email: meagan@thekitchenhour.com!   pssst...don't miss the Aldi gift certificate giveaway going on right now!

With the holidays coming up, many of us are going to be sharing space with other families and friends - including other kids (in my family, LOTS of other kids!) Will your house erupt with squabbles, spats and fights over toys? If so, do you ever wonder how to handle them - particularly when you have a different parenting style from your friends or family members? In today's podcast I chat with Heather Shumaker, author of It's OK NOT To Share...And Other Renegade Rules For Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids (Tarcher/Penguin 2012). Heather and I talk about: Why it's so hard to parent "your way" in public...and how to do it with grace How hyper-managing kids' play can backfire (and how to take a step back and relax) Violent play: is it as bad as we've been led to believe? And much more. The great thing about Heather's "Renegade Rules"? They may seem to go against the grain, but so many of them are just plain common sense...and reading her reasoning can validate thoughts you've been afraid to speak out loud. So during your next Kitchen Hour, play the podcast and let Heather take some of the anxiety and pressure out of parenting. You may never look at the way you interact with your kids the same way again.