Food and Nutrition

“Super Cute Crispy Treats” for Halloween

Each October, RAK's inbox fills up with emails full of ideas for Halloween and the coming winter holidays. The message about "Super Cute Crispy...

Healthy snacks for young athletes

Healthy snacks keep a steady stream of nutrients flowing through young athletes’ bodies. Having their blood sugar and energy levels on keel will help...

Food*Ball: Valley grandma cooks up teen game show

Scottsdale resident Margaret Clark and her grandson, Billy Butler, of Gilbert, may seem like an unlikely team to produce a television show. But their...

Mom Day Mondays at Chestnut

If there is anything worse than Phoenix in the summer, it’s getting out of bed on a Monday morning. Local business owners Kirsten Steele...

A new cooking game show for teens

A new cooking game show for teens debuts this weekend on AzTV7/Cable 13. In “Food*Ball,” Valley teens are divided into somewhat clueless two-player teams...

Vegetable Valet a timesaver for busy families

You’ve picked out and purchased all of your fresh vegetables at your local farmers market. Now wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else...

Cooking with kids feeds body and soul

Growing up as the oldest of four children, I have been known to be a bit, ahem, bossy. As the big sister, I knew...

Everyday Chocolate Cake is the best gift of all

Every holiday season, I spend days crafting at least a half-dozen different kinds of cookies. My kitchen is a whirlwind of creamed butter and...

Smart Cookie: Original—and easy!—cookie creations

Christi Farr Johnstone, of Phoenix, impressed family members and friends with her chocolate-covered pretzels with sprinkles on top. “It isn’t rocket science,” she told...

Is your child a hypertaster?

Some people love Brussels sprouts and others consider them a form of punishment. Why do we have such different reactions to food? French-trained chef and...

Chris Lineberry: Putting kids first

A heart attack at age 36 would forever change school principal Chris Lineberry, EdD. After Lineberry recovered, he huddled with faculty and staff to find...

Get creative with healthy after-school snacks

Growing up as a 1990s latchkey kid, I had to fend for myself for hours in the harsh conditions of North Scottsdale (back then,...


My Day at Camp: Sweet Basil Cooking School

Summer camp often involves roasting marshmallows over an open flame. I vividly recall heavy Dutch ovens, hot coals and brushes with death. But on...

Beat the heat with “no-cook” cooking

In case you haven’t been outside lately, it’s hot. After all, we live in Arizona. We run our errands at 6 a.m., drape towels...

Eat your mizuna! Ways to get your kids to love veggies

“Ooh, yuck!” “No thanks.” “I already tried it.” “I don’t like it.” “No way!” At our house, we’ve heard it all. For every bite of...

Nourishing the nursing mom

In some cultures, the postpartum care of a new mother is still a time-honored ritual. For several weeks, people prepare nourishing, herbal and protein-rich...

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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