contributing writer Archives

6 Ways to Have a Successful Allergy-Free Thanksgiving

Stephani Jenkins / 11/11/2019

Is it possible to do a gluten-free dairy-free Thanksgiving? What about dairy-free Thanksgiving recipes? It is possible to have an allergy friendly thanksgiving! Here’s how! This post is from contributing writer Steph Jenkins of Cheapskate Cook. When I told someone that we usually have a grain-free, dairy-free Thanksgiving, they stared at me like I was crazy. They announced, […]

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How to Be a Mind Reader When it Comes to Feeding Your Kids

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 11/04/2019

My one-year-old is a pretty good eater. He generally likes most things and really loves it when he gets to try something new. But the other day he kept spitting his food out or just clenching his mouth shut altogether, refusing to eat anything. I was getting very frustrated. I was serving foods he normally

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Why You Should Be Drinking Rooibos Tea

Becca Stallings / 10/21/2019

One of the great pleasures of autumn is wrapping your hands around a warm mug and breathing the steam of a delicious beverage before you begin to sip. Many find relaxation in the simple act of holding the mug, which makes it a great habit before sleep. Warm drinks aren’t limited to caffeinated coffee and

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Instant Pot Turmeric-Spiced Chicken Recipe

Stephani Jenkins / 10/14/2019

This post is from contributing writer Steph Jenkins of Cheapskate Cook. Fall is the perfect time to pull out your Instant Pot for easy, real food recipes. We have a lot going on in the Fall between school, work, after-school activities, and getting ready for the holidays. Fall also starts the cold and flu season, so it’s the

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{Series: Those Weird Veggies} Everything You Didn’t Know to Ask About Rutabaga + Scalloped Rutabaga Recipe

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 10/07/2019

This post is a continuation of a series on “Those Weird Veggies.” You can also read about parsnips and kohlrabi. Are you an avid gardener? Or someone that loves the idea of gardening…but just hasn’t found the time for it? Or maybe you are quite content to leave the gardening to your local farmer? I’m

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipe

Stephani Jenkins / 09/30/2019

This post is from contributing writer Steph Jenkins of Cheapskate Cook. Fall is the perfect time to make warm, comforting breakfasts. But on school mornings, hot breakfasts are hard to swing! I love making simple (allergy-free!) baked oatmeal or whipping up a batch of 5-Minute Egg & Cheese Muffins, but cooking oatmeal in the Instant Pot is one of

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Easy Breakfast for School Mornings: Granola Bar Bowl Recipe

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 09/09/2019

Getting a healthy breakfast on the table for your kids before school is a common struggle whether you homeschool like Mary or have kids in school like me. I have a whole post full of tips and recipes for quick healthy breakfasts and this recipe is a great one to add to your rotation! Enjoy!

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Irradiated Spices: Are They Safe For Your Family?

Becca Stallings / 08/26/2019

When you sprinkle cinnamon over your lovingly homemade organic applesauce, are you also adding a tiny dose of radiation? If not, are you adding deadly bacteria? More than 60 countries allow irradiation of food, including the United States and Canada. What is irradiation, and does it make food safer or more dangerous? How can we

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How to Make Homemade Yogurt in the Instant Pot

Stephani Jenkins / 08/12/2019

Introducing my good friend and fellow real food proponent, Stephani Jenkins! Steph writes at The Cheapskate Cook about eating healthy on a budget, and I’m so pleased to have her on the team as a regular KS contributor. You are going to fall right in love with her (and her cute boys), let me tell

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How to Teach Your Kids to Cook (In Just Two Weeks!)

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 08/05/2019

Can you believe a mom of 4 could teach her big kids how to cook in just 2 weeks?? I love that Mary used my online cooking class for kids, all three levels, every single day for two weeks, even while the toddler was underfoot! In the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, my kids and

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Allergy Friendly Healthy Breakfast Hummus Recipe

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 06/17/2019

I have four kids. They all have individual eating styles and food preferences. But in general I know what they like. Three out of four will eat what I serve without much complaining. Sure they have their favorites. But they eat most things. Then there is my four-year old. She doesn’t play along so nicely

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High Protein Gluten-Free Pasta Reviews + Quick Veggie Filled Pasta Salad Recipe

Becca Stallings / 05/20/2019

Wish you knew the best high-protein, healthy gluten-free pasta brand for pasta salad? Becca’s family reviewed many and found some clear winners! Create an allergen-friendly pasta salad bar for your family or a party, and be sure to cook one of these legume-based pastas for those who are gluten-free. -Katie “This is great! What is it?”

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Low Sugar Gluten-Free Parsnip Cupcakes: Perfect for a First Birthday!

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 05/13/2019

My baby just turned one (sniffle, sniffle)! This is the fourth time we’ve celebrated a first birthday in our family…and it never gets easier. Something about that transition from baby to toddler is so hard for Mama! I think this one is especially hard, knowing it is our last time. I love watching my kids

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How to Stick to a Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Diet Long Term (and not go crazy!)

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 04/29/2019

If you’re new to cutting gluten and dairy, start with Katie’s post to learn how to go gluten and dairy-free with kids. If you know you’re in it for the long haul, I’ve got you covered here with tips for a GF/CF lifestyle long term. I remember when I first made the decision to switch

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Reducing Single-Use Plastic Food Packaging & Alternatives

Becca Stallings / 04/07/2019

Learn how to reduce the use of plastic in your home by banning single-use plastics, using single-use plastic alternatives, and repurposing single-use plastic. This post is from KS Contributing Writer ‘Becca Stallings of The Earthling’s Handbook, with photos by her son Nicholas Efran. I have long been baby stepping my way to reduce plastic use

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Easy Meal Planning Tips to Use Your CSA Share

Becca Stallings / 08/20/2018

We’ve talked about easy healthy meal prep, but today we are zooming in on how to meal plan with a CSA! Two years ago, I wrote up a handy 5-step plan for using all the vegetables you receive in a weekly crate from a Community-Sponsored Agriculture farm. That article tells you all about how a

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Chewing gums with xylitol in a basket. What you need to know about xylitol chewing gums.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Chewing Gums with Xylitol

Becca Stallings / 05/24/2018

Sugar alcohols aren’t new, and I’ve researched them before, but we are seeing the “-ols” more and more – especially in chewing gum. I don’t allow artificial sweeteners in our family at all, and it’s VERY hard to find gum without the worst offenders. What about chewing gums with xylitol? It seems that may be

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Nutrient Dense Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipe

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 05/14/2018

I love dairy. In all forms. If I could choose one food group to never have to give up…it would be dairy. And yet I or someone in my family (or a combination) have been dairy free for anywhere from six months to two or more years at a time during the past seven years.

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Can Real Foodies Find Good Deals at Gordon Food Service?

Becca Stallings / 04/23/2018

Gordon Food Services locations are popping up in new places. What is theirstock? Does Gordon have good prices? Read on to find out. Several years ago, I noticed a new store perched on a mountain overlooking the William Penn Highway–the main road of Monroeville’s huge shopping district east of Pittsburgh. I guessed from the name

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Easy Sheet Pan Dinner Your Kids Will Love to Make

Mary Voogt, NTP (Contributing Writer) / 04/16/2018

Confession time. When it comes to making dinner I’m actually NOT looking for quick hacks in the kitchen. I may be in the minority, but I actually love to cook!! I’d spend half my day in the kitchen if I could. BUT…my reality is that I don’t often have much time for it. I’m a

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