Food and Nutrition

Turkey roll-ups

  Eat “food” for snacks! This is a more nutrient-rich option rather than typical “snack” fare such as chips and cookies.  Ingredients: Turkey slices from the deli...

Edamame snacks

Edamame (pronounced ed-ah-MA-may) is soybeans in the pod. Trader Joe's sells them frozen and you can steam, boil or microwave them. Squeeze the pod...

Ants on a log

Though she apologized profusely for being "not very original," RAK Writer/Web Editor Brittney Walker was right on in reminding us about this fun and traditional favorite...

Pita crisps

Cut whole-wheat pitas into triangles. Brush with olive oil from the Queen Creek Olive Milland sprinkle with the seasoning of your choice — salt or...

Pirate cupcakes

Buy a container of vanilla fondant (Michael's has it ... and so does ABC Cake Decorating on Indian School). Use a pirate head-shaped cookie cutter...

Perfect pizza toast

Ingredients: A jar of pizza, or any marinara sauce English muffins Mozzarella or cheddar cheese Basil or pepperoni (optional) Toast the English muffin. When it is done, spread the...

Solvay’s smoothie

1 ripe banana, sliced 6 strawberries, sliced 1/2 cup frozen raspberries 1 cup unsweetened apple juice 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup ice Place all ingredients in a blender and...

Pasta salad

Ingredients: Whole-wheat bowtie or other shape pasta Pinto beans or edamame Lite Italian dressing Mixed chopped veggies of your choice Grated Parmesan cheese Cook pasta and let cool. Add beans...

Cheese faces

Let the kids carve their own designs in slices of Tillamook medium cheddar. Though cheese has a lot of fat, the absorption of nutrients...

Smoothie pops

There is nothing better than watching your children cool off with a yummy, smoothie popsicle that hides everything from spinach to carrots! Grab your blender,...

Fruit salad and dip

Choose a selection of fruits that are in season and wash, slice or chop. (Try blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupe chunks, raspberries, peach slices, apple slices,...

Fresh figs

RAK writer/photographer Daniel Friedman was at Trader Joe's one day when he rediscovered a "purely no-prep snack" with aesthetic appeal to his artistic eye. "Most...

Yogurt parfait

Plain yogurt is good for teens, who probably aren’t getting enough calcium, but the taste may be kind of boring. Spruce it up with...

Vegetable pita pizzas

2 large whole-wheat pita bread rounds Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup assorted fresh vegetables (such as small broccoli or cauliflower, red sweet pepper strips, sliced fresh mushrooms...

Applejack salad bar

This recipe is not only delicious, but it is also fun to make and surprisingly simple! Ingredients: Apples, yogurt, honey, coconut shavings, raisins and nuts. Directions: First, get...

Spinach brownies

Non-stick cooking spray 3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate 1/2 cup carrot puree 1/2 cup spinach puree 1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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