At Good Eggs, we help a lot of families eat throughout the week. Our goal is to provide great tasting, healthy food for our community, while at the same time supporting local farmers and food producers by connecting them with customers who value sustainability, integrity, and quality. When it’s all working, it’s a symbiotic relationship between growers, makers, and eaters.

So what does that look like at the holidays?

Below, we’re serving up 3 main pieces of advice + loads of meal-time inspiration to make Thanksgiving prep a bit easier—straight from the Good Eggs Kitchen in Oakland, California, to your home, wherever you are!

Decide what you want to make from scratch, and accept some really good help for the rest.

Our chef, Anne Sjostrom, has been working for months developing fantastic Thanksgiving dishes. Anne is an Oakland mom herself; and a super creative, accomplished cook. This year, her holiday menu has many stand-out dishes that arrive ready to heat and serve; as well as meal kits that come prepped and portioned for assembly at home. Try the savory corn pudding (which just happens to be gluten-free), green beans with salsa verde and crispy fried shallots, and warm leek salad with goat cheese and pears. We also partner with local bakers who supply insanely delicious pies! From classic apple and pumpkin, to the more surprising Salty Honey Maple Pie from San Francisco’s Black Jet Baking Co. and Citrus Pie from Berkeley’s Starter Bakery.

Get your hosting provisions early.

It’s so nice to have snacks and drinks on hand for spontaneous visits from friends (or unending visits from family…). Stock up on a nice variety of wines, cocktail supplies, sparkling water, N/A spritzers, and good coffee. And lean on expert curators (like Good Eggs’s buyers) to select assortments of cheeses, antipasti, charcuterie, and crudités. All of it keeps well for a while, and you can lay it out quickly and make everyone happy, including yourself!

Choose some easy, fresh decor and let the kids amplify the vibe.

We source flowers year-round from local farmers, but in the fall, some of them also send us beautiful, handmade wreaths. Full Belly Farm, Fifth Crow Farm, Blue House Farm, Four Sister Farm, and Lunaria Flower Farm all have stunning pieces, including some that use fresh protea and other bright and fragrant botanicals. Splurge on a beautiful one, or instead, get some fresh and dried flowers, spread out some butcher paper, and let the kids get creative making floral crafts for the holiday celebration. The imperfection and handmade nature of these things just makes them all the more special, and you can roll all the scraps into the butcher paper and compost it when craft hour (hours if you’re lucky??) is over.

For more holiday hosting tips from Good Eggs–including a tasty Friendsgiving Menu and some Holiday Cocktail Recipes—be sure to check out their blog, The Source.

Food styling by Haley Hazell.

The post 3 Thanksgiving Prep Tips For Busy Families appeared first on MOTHER.

The duo behind the excellent new book have “been there, done that” when it comes to lunch packing, and now they are sharing all they know—including loads of nutritious kid-friendly recipes, favorite “tools of the trade” (cookie cutters and candy eyeballs included), and an extensive grocery list to keep your bento box exciting, divided by Fruit, Vegetable, Main, Crunchy Snack, Protein Snack, and Something Sweet categories.

The heart and soul of the book includes a multitude of beautifully photographed, super creative, 100+ school lunch ideas for readers to copy. Each lunch box has a fun idea behind it—from shape- and color-centric options to holiday themes and beyond. Below, we’re featuring 6 of our favorite lunches from the book and we suggest you scoop up a copy of Lunchbox for all the rest—trust us, it will most definitely come in handy when you find yourself in the inevitable lunch-packing rut.

Are these ambitious lunchboxes to be copied or aspired to crumb-for-crumb? Of course not! With so many pressures on parents today, we say use what inspiration and tips you can and discard the rest.

The post Creative School Lunch Ideas That Are Healthy + Fun appeared first on MOTHER.

Founded by two mothers (with 6 children between them), Bobbie is the first infant formula to launch in the U.S. in the last 5 years. With the goal of offering a safe, FDA regulated alternative to the black market of imported baby formulas, Bobbie’s homegrown, certified USDA organic infant formula is modeled after breast milk and is designed to meet the most recent EU nutritional standards for critical ingredients like DHA and iron, while also meeting all FDA nutritional standards for infant formula. (It’s recently been awarded the Clean Label Project Purity Award and Clean Label Pesticide Free Certification). The signature Bobbie recipe includes Organic Valley milk from pasture raised cows, and does not feature commonplace baby formula ingredients like corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. (Read more about Bobbie’s ingredients here).

Other modern elements of the direct-to-consumer brand (which is sold on hibobbie.com and Target) include top-quality text-based support and purchasing, a subscription-based service that assures you’ll never run out of formula, and beautifully simple packaging. Want to see it for yourself? Take a look at Bobbie in action, as we invite three inspiring mothers from across the country—Naomi Boyer, Logan Russell, and Stephanie Paradiso—to give their honest Bobbie formula reviews. Naturally, each of their journeys to formula differed from one another. Here are some snippets of our conversations:

“I had to start thinking about formula when Presley was growing and eating a lot more,” Naomi tells us. “I wasn’t producing as much as I used to, I even tried to change my eating habits and take supplements, but I just couldn’t keep up with how much she was eating. I knew there had to be a lot more formula options out there than there was before. I also was never against formula feeding since everyone’s experience and bodies are different. The goal was for her to eat!”

Meanwhile, Logan says: “We started thinking about formula when I started to struggle with my milk supply. I fought the idea of formula because of stigmas that had wormed their way into my head. I couldn’t tell you where it came from, but I had this idea that if I didn’t breastfeed then I wasn’t providing the best for my baby. I also feared Olivia and I would not feel as connected as we did when she was nursing. I put so much pressure on myself to breastfeed because it was a goal that I set in the very beginning. It was my ‘thing’ I didn’t want to budge on. But life happens! And I realized that all of my ideas about formula were completely untrue. After researching modern formulas, specifically Bobbie, I realized that it was just as viable as breastmilk. No matter how you feed your baby, fed is best.”

Finally, Stephanie—a mother of two—is extra grateful to have Bobbie the second time around: “I was first interested in trying Bobbie because it is European-style formula, and I had always been curious about this! Both of my children had different issues when it came to their tummies, and I know Bobbie is designed to be gentle—that is very important to me. I also love that the company is female founded and led by moms. They understand not only the different facets of feeding, but also the struggles someone may face when trying to decide how to feed their baby.”

Click below to read their full Bobbie reviews! And be sure to use code MOTHERMAG25 for 25% off your first purchase of Bobbie formula for a limited time.

The post is brought to you by Mother + Bobbie.

The post 3 Inspiring Moms Give Their Honest Bobbie Formula Reviews appeared first on MOTHER.

Walks on the California Coast. “I moved from San Francisco to a small beach town called Pacifica a few years ago. It’s a town of 30,000 right on the California coast, brimming with outdoor activities like hiking and surfing. There are endless trails here that start right in our backyard. You’re up close and personal with the weather—some days we storm watch from our windows and on other days it’s like the sun came out just for you. My girls are growing up outside, getting messy in the dirt, picking up bugs and finding coyote skulls by the creek. There’s nothing like taking my little mini me’s on a beachside hike in the sunshine (or in the wet fog). It puts a huge smile on my face every time. When I’m struggling, a walk or hike outside always does the trick.”

Chai Ritual + Chai Caramel. “My best days always start with a steaming mug of chai. It takes me back to the summers I spent with my family in India, walking over to the local Chaiwalla in my grandma’s village and asking for a piping hot stainless steel cup filled with foaming chai. Each morning as I prepare my girls’ breakfast, I place Assam Black Tea in a ceramic saucepan, and add crushed green cardamom, cinnamon quills, and black pepper from Diaspora Co., along with cloves from Burlap & Barrel, and a piece of fresh ginger. It sounds like a lot, but I have the spices ready together in a little jar, so it just takes a second to freshly peel the ginger. After that’s simmered for a bit, I add whole milk and let it rise and fall with foam. I strain it in my favorite tiny black teapot from Samovar (so functional), and finish it off with a teaspoon of Just Date’s Chai Caramel, which adds a touch of sweetness and an additional backdrop of spice. It gives me a nice steady dose of caffeine, as opposed to coffee which has always not been the right choice for me.” The Tea Lounge Tea Pot, $45, Samovar. Regeneratively Grown Organic Assam Black Loose Leaf Tea, $10.79, Thrive Market. Chai Masala Blend, $15, Diaspora Co. Pempa Cloves, $9.99, Burlap & Barrel. Chair Caramel Syrup, $18, Just Date. 

Spices. “Speaking of spices, these two companies have simply changed the game with single origin, ethically sourced spices from around the globe (Burlap & Barrel) and India (Diaspora Co.). Spices have been a huge part of my life since the get go—my mom says she started feeding me chicken curry when I was 4 months old! I don’t go a day without incorporating some sort of spice into our meals. They bring vibrance and flavor to all of our meals without needing excess salt or sugar. My oldest child loves turmeric cauliflower, and my baby loves a sprinkle of sumac on her eggs. She is Indian through and through, taking down chicken curry at the tender age of one.” BurlapandBarrel.com. Diasporaco.com.

Beautiful Daily Objects + Ceramics. “On a retreat, I gathered a life lesson from the late Beth Kirby that I’ll carry with me the rest of my life. Beth was an amazing artist, and she shared her philosophy that if we make the simple objects in our life beautiful, it elevates mundane moments to something beautiful. Brooms, kitchen scrubbers, pans, mugs, plates, and any other household cleaning or daily use item. The pans I gawk over every day are my Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron, Smithey Carbon Steel Wok, and Mauviel Copper cookware. The pans are pricey but last forever, and I mean forever! I definitely didn’t acquire them all at once and saved up for each over the course of years. Smithey has a ‘seconds sale’ every year that I love to take advantage of! I’ve also been collecting vintage ceramic mugs over the years from all over the world. Each one has a story and I love that nostalgia everytime I’m having a warm drink.” Handmade Kitchen Scrub Brush & Holder Set with Natural Fiber Bristles, $48, Food52. Blueland.com. No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet, $210, Smithey. Carbon Steel Farmhouse Skillet, $295, Smithey. Mauviel 1830 M’Heritage M150B 5-Piece Cookware Set With Bronze Handles, $720, Mauviel.

Just Date Sugar + Pancake Ritual. “Yes you are reading this right—as a doctor and low-sugar advocate, I feed my kids pancakes 4-5 times a week! I love creating healthy and nourishing pancakes for my girls, and the girls love ‘em right back. They’re an opportunity to create different blends of nutrients every day, they are full of nourishing wholesome ingredients, they don’t spike my kids’ blood sugar (yay Just Date Sugar!), and they keep them full all day long. My favorite blend for them is almond flour, date sugar, tapioca flour, eggs, milk of choice, baking powder, blueberries, and it’s the ideal place to sneak in tons of chia seeds and hemp seeds!” Organic Date Sugar, $12.99, Just Date.

Cookbooks. “Reading a great cookbook is my happy place. I love seeing others’ histories, heritage, and creativity through their recipes. I have way too many cookbooks and not enough time to cook through all of them. The three cookbooks I use most are Sababa by Adeena Sussman (fresh, flavorful, many are simple enough for a weekday), Everyone’s Table by Gregory Gourdet (I love Gregory’s style of cooking, and that such an incredible chef is such a big proponent of delicious AND healthy cuisine), and The Flavor Equation by Nik Sharma (Nik is so creative and the science nerd in me loves his dissection of the flavor of food. It’s totally groundbreaking and so unique).” Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen, by Adeena Sussman, $19.99, Amazon and Bookshop. Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health, by Gregory Gourdet, $TK, $21.99, Amazon and Bookshop. The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking Explained in More Than 100 Essential Recipes, by Nik Sharma, $19.99, Amazon and Bookshop.

Simple Mills. “As parents, we all want to give our kids the same nostalgic treats we had in our youth. The problem is that we’ve learned SO much since the ’80s and ’90s about how negatively these treats impact our kids’ short-term and long-term health. Besides Just Date products, Simple Mills is my go-to for a quick pancake or cake mix instead of reaching for Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines, crackers instead of Goldfish, and cookies instead of Oreos. These Simple Mills products actually meet the nutritional standards for our kids that we should be aiming for. Try their almond flour crackers, seed flour crackers (safe for nut-free schools!), or chocolate cake mix.” SimpleMills.com.

Haircare. “I definitely miss the hair of my ’20s, pre-kids, the hair that required barely any care! After my oldest, my hair was thick and shiny, but the complete opposite happened after my most recent child. I experienced dramatic postpartum hair loss and graying that made my jaw drop! I’ve been slowly nourishing and nurturing my hair over the six months, and the products that have made the biggest difference for me are Nutrafol supplements, Ranavat Fortifying Hair Serum (my hair stopped falling out within 10 days), and Fable & Mane shampoo and conditioner.” Hair Growth Nutraceutical, $79, Nutrafol. Ranavat Fortifying Hair Serum, $70, Goop. Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, $55, Fable & Mane.

A Good Book. “A good book before bed leads to a better and more satisfying sleep for myself, and I just love getting lost in a story. My most recent favorites are Crying in H Mart, Klara and the Sun, and Everything I Never Told You. They also happen to be all by Asian-American authors. I love that Asian-Americans like myself are making a splash in writing and other creative fields these days. My business partner and best friend Samantha is an avid reader, too, and I’m always looking to her for recommendations.” Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, by Michelle Zauner, $15.79, Amazon and Bookshop. Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro, $14.20, Amazon and Bookshop. Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng, $17.99, Amazon and Bookshop.

Seven Sundays Farmers Market Almond Date Muesli. “I’m always on the hunt for easy breakfast solutions with no added sugar. My girls love this muesli, and I love that it packs them full of nutrition for their day! Bonus points for supporting the wonderful husband-wife duo behind this fabulous brand.” Organic Farmers Market Almond Date Muesli, $24 (for case of 4), Seven Sundays.

Sweet Nothings. “I’m also always on the lookout for dessert solutions with no added sugar that share the same nostalgia of our youth—like the processed ice cream cups I used to thrive on as a 5-year-old. Enter Sweet Nothings, spoonable smoothies that give all those ice cream feels. My daughters do not know the difference, especially with their chocolate and peanut butter flavors and ‘real’ ice cream. These are sweetened with just dates (hooray!), and have no added sugar. They also sneak in high nutrient density through flax seeds and chia seeds. I am a BIG fan of their nutrition.” SweetNothings.com.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil + Baby Body Ritual. “Coconut oil is a huge part of ancient Indian self-care methods, and my mom has been rubbing coconut oil into my face and hair since I was born. I have used this coconut oil for my babies’ bodies and faces since they were just out of the womb. I’ve found that this coconut oil works for everything from preventing diaper rashes to healing their face after an extra-mucous bad cold in the winter. I also love the ritual of massaging it into my baby’s body after a warm bath—there is nothing sweeter than watching my girls enjoy that relaxing feeling we all love!” Coco & Co. Virgin Coconut Oil, $17.16, Amazon.

Sleeping Well With The Best Sleeping Tools. “I won’t travel anywhere without my Coop Home Goods pillow. It’s adjustable and if I had to call an object the love of my life, this would be it. Once you adjust to the right level of shredded foam for your unique needs, you won’t be able to use another pillow! My other favorite item for winter is the Sunday Citizen Quartz Crystal Weighted Blanket. Since having babies, I have become a really light sleeper. There was no more sleeping through my husband’s snoring or my baby’s tiny movements and grunts on the monitor. I bought myself this blanket for Christmas and it was a total game-changer. Sleep became attainable again!” The Original Pillow, $72, Coop. Snug Crystal Weighted Blanket, $269, Sunday Citizen.

Lovevery. “My background in medicine is child development and psychiatry, and the neuroscience of early childhood has always been fascinating to me. So when I was having my first child and Lovevery was just emerging, I totally geeked out over it. I am simply floored by what this brand has done for children’s toys. I subscribed immediately to their Play Kits, and am probably down to purchase whatever they offer up next.” The Play Kit, $80 to $120, Lovevery.

Dancing With My Girls. “Our nightly dance party is my favorite way to shed those afternoon scaries that can sometimes come along. My girls get ‘hangry’ while waiting for dinner, so this is the perfect thing to distract them while we’re waiting for the food to finish up on the stove or in the oven. The girls are currently jamming to Barry Manilow’s Copacabana (hilarious), and House of Pain’s Jump Around (also funny). And Frozen songs, obviously.”

Farmers Markets. “This is the most fabulous way to pass time with my girls. I love seeing their faces light up as they choose the freshest berries and peaches, especially in the summer season. They’re fascinated by everything they see. We’re so lucky in California to have an abundance of markets to choose from, and we’re looking forward to summer to appreciate California’s fruit bounty!”

For more MOTHER ESSENTIALS, peep our recent features on food icon Amanda Hesser, Prickly Pear founder MONA BAHRAINI, Solace Summer founder MEGAN BRE CAMP, Wonder Valley co-founder ALISON CARROLL, OZMA designer HEIDI BAKER, author TIFFANY ROSE SMITH, PR pro TEMI ADAMOLEKUN, HEIDI BAKER of OZMA, PHOEBE SUNG of Cold Picnic, Sach Paneer founder JASLEEN KAUR, Essential Labor author ANGELA GARBES, The Mamas author HELENA ANDREWS-DYER, Olivia J founder SHAE JONES, author BRYNNE BARNES, TISHA THOMPSON of LYS Beauty, Blueland’s SARAH PAIJI YOO, Heirloom’s SRI BODANAPU, Lady Falcon Coffee Club founder BUFFY MAGUIRE, the mama-duo behind SPRING & MULBERRY chocolate, and Dear Bella Creamery co-founder ALICE CHERNG.

The post Mother Essentials: Dr. Sylvie Charles, Founder of Just Date appeared first on MOTHER.

Need more delicious gifting ideas? Check out these Gifts For Guys, The Hostess, The Homebody, New & Expecting Mamas, Tweens & Teens, “Big” Kids, and Babies & Toddlers!

Take your pick of the best gifts for food lovers and cooks in our slideshow!

The post 50+ Gifts For Food Lovers Of All Ages appeared first on MOTHER.

Planning The Menu: “At my house, the dinner is less about what I’m serving and more about the presentation and thought. I know I am a good cook, but I am not the best cook. In the end, I find that people just like to be invited over, so don’t let the idea of cooking for others overwhelm you. I have made elaborate multi-course meals in the past, and now realize that everyone felt awkward with me getting up and down prepping for the next course. I like to serve something simple, seasonal, and forgiving. I’ve found that perfecting a one-dish meal, such as sakshuka, and then spending more time on a thoughtful appetizer spread is always a hit. It’s visually pleasing yet the timing is flexible, so you can enjoy the party without being completely consumed in the recipe. I also always ask if guests have dietary preferences or aversions. And, if you don’t like to cook at all? Order take-out from a local restaurant and re-plate it on your own serving dishes.”

Crowd-Sourcing The Food: “If a friend asks you what they can bring, instead of asking for the standard bottle of wine, you can ask for something more pointed, like, ‘That amazing salad you always make!’ Note, however, that it’s important to think through the menu when asking people to bring something. That way you don’t end up with three jello salads and no pie, as I did when I hosted Thanksgiving a few years ago. People want to bring something, so give them a task when they ask. Also, don’t ask your friend who is always late to bring the appetizer, give that dish to your most punctual friend.”

Creating An Instagram-Worthy Tablescape: “For a table that every guest will be snapping the second they arrive, make sure it is set and ready to go before your guests get there. Setting the table is my favorite part, and I often do it the day before the dinner, so that I have time to enjoy the process before everyone comes over and I am rushed and distracted. Flowers are always the centerpiece on my table, as it is expected at my house. But, colorful candles can do the trick if you don’t have time to get flowers. I always play with colorful cloth napkins set on the plate, to add color and turn my table into a thoughtful design. Keep paint chips around so you can make quick place cards. I find that having assigned seating, even for a dinner of 4, can be a special touch both in thought and visual presentation.”

The Florals: “Flowers don’t have to be elaborate to make a statement. Get two bunches of tulips and simply chop and drop for a simple centerpiece. My dining table is small, so we often move the arrangement after everyone sits down. I have a second location designated so that transition is smooth and doesn’t feel like the arrangement was in the way. Finally, my two biggest tips are keep the arrangement low enough that guests can see over them easily and avoid allergies by steering clear of flowers with scent. A sneezing guest could kill the vibe at any dinner party.”

Accommodating Kids: “When we have kids over we always set a pretty place at the table for them, too. I don’t want them to feel like they are not part of the dining experience. I have a straw drawer where I keep cute straws so the kids get special drinks when the adults get their first cocktail. If I set a separate kids table, I’ll cover it with butcher paper so they can color directly on the table.”

The Soundtrack: “I like softer music when I entertain. I hate it when music is too loud or abrupt when I’m eating. We usually play a Nina Simone or Bebel Gilberto Spotify station that is the perfect background for dinner. After dinner we’ll transition into something a bit less ambient.”

Appetizers: “My number one tip is have appetizers waiting before your guests walk in the door. I think most guests expect you to be cooking when they arrive, but you need to get a drink in their hand and an appetizer in their belly as quickly as possible. My go-to appetizer is a simple but nice cheese plate. It can be served at room temperature and it will please almost everyone in the room. Add nuts, so even the vegans and GF’ers are happy. My go-to appetizer recipe is this one, which is also gluten free.”

The Drinks: “If you have a large group and want to cut down on everyone using a fresh glass, mark the glasses, but don’t use the cheesy options. I like to tie different colors of string or ribbon or place bindi dots on the glasses so everyone has a different color marking their glass. It’s so simple and totally works. As for the drink itself, cocktails that take a long time to make are not a good idea. I served pisco sours at one party and they just took too long to make. If you want to make cocktails, pre-batch them so it is easy to refill glasses. Margaritas with fresh herbs from my studio garden and jalepenjo is a favorite in our house right now.”

Seating Assignments: “I’ve poured over the rules on seating assignments, but in the end, it’s all about conversation. Think ahead to who will get along with whom. It’s good to put the chatty person next to the shy person, but you also don’t want to have the overbearing one dominate. I also like to change things up at dessert to get the conversation mixed up. If you do place cards, write a different name on the back and then have everyone flip the cards and find their new seat for the final course. By dessert everyone is relaxed, so it will be fun.”

Stashing Their Stuff: “If you don’t have a coat closet, think ahead to where the coats and purses will go. A bed in the bedroom is the perfect spot. When guests who have not been to your home first enter, they need to understand their bearings, so a little sign that says ‘Coats on the bed’ with an arrow can be helpful.”

After Dinner Fun: “We have a fireplace and after dinner we often invite our guests into the living room to eat dessert casually around the coffee table by the fire. We throw pillows on the floor and keep it informal and cozy. We have a cupboard of games for all ages and personality types, from Cards Against Humanity to Uno. But my favorite game is charades because all you need is some paper, a pencil, and a couple thinkers. If your guests are not the game type but you want to mix up conversation, Google the Proust questionnaire and go around the table and take turns answering.”

Taking It All In Stride: “Remember that if something goes wrong at a party, it can make for fun memories in the future. Our cat was skunked and ran through the house in the middle of dinner once, and those guests still laugh about it to this day. It actually made for a funny experience that is now a memory.”

For more tips on setting the perfect table, check out Natalie’s inspiring styling ideas here.

The post 12 Expert Hostess Tips To Ace Your Next Gathering appeared first on MOTHER.

Quick + Easy Skincare Routine. “My skin has changed a lot in the past few years, especially after my daughter was born. I had to try a lot of products before settling on a few favorites, and Ranavat Saffron Serum is my go-to. This saffron-infused serum is magical! It smells lovely and feels so amazing on the skin. I have been using it for almost a year now and have seen so much improvement in my skin. My other must-have is my Born This Way foundation.” Ranavat Brightening Saffron Serum, $135, Credo. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, $45, Sephora.

Kevin Murphy Dry Shampoo. “Being a mompreneur, I don’t always have time to wash and style my hair before an important meeting or a dinner date. This dry shampoo is a lifesaver on busy days when my hair needs a quick pick-me-up.” Kevin Murphy Fresh Hair Refreshing Dry Shampoo, $26, Harrods.

Printfresh PJs. “I discovered these gorgeous matching pajamas through an Instagram ad. They are 100% cotton, high-quality, and so soft—definitely made to live in. I love their prints as well!” Long Sleep Set, $158, Printfresh.

Theragun. “After working a long day, I often feel stiff and sore in my legs and back. A quick 5-10 minutes with my Theragun before bed helps me relax and recover and gets me ready for sleep.” Theragun, $199 and up, Therabody.

Align High-Rise Yoga Pants. “I practically live in these. These leggings are so comfortable. They are perfect if you’re just laying around at home, working out, or even going out.” Lululemon Align High-Rise Yoga Pant, $98, Lululemon.

Sach Paneer. “While I am partial, I think paneer makes my meal planning so effortless. It is an excellent source of vegetarian protein. It is one of the easiest ways to add protein, calcium, and good fat to my daughter’s meal in one go. For my husband and I, we often add the Spicy Habanero Paneer to our stir frys, paninis, and salads.” Spicy Habanero Paneer, $7.99, Sach Paneer. 

Coffee in Bed. “That’s my love language and my husband knows that! Haha! This is how I start my mornings.” 

Seed Cycling. “I discovered seed cycling and Beeya on Instagram. I think it is a great all-natural way to supplement.  These seeds contain specific nutrients and fatty acids that are believed to support hormonal function. I am still trying to be regular with it.” Phase 1 & Phase 2, $55/month, Beeya.

Stokke Clikk Highchair. “Hands down my favorite and most-used baby item that I recommend and gift to all my mom friends. My daughter started using this chair when she was about 6-months-old and she still has almost all of her meals here. It is super easy to clean, is sturdy, and looks great. It makes my life so much easier.” Stokke Clikk High Chair, $179, Stokke.

Camphor. “Camphor has many benefits as a spiritual practice. It is considered highly purifying and eliminates negative energy. For me, the menthol smell helps alleviate stress and anxiety. It brings calm and helps me relax my mind. I often have it burning in my office and at bedtime.” 

Yeedi Vacuum Cleaner. “I LOVE this vacuum. He vacuums, and he mops. I love that I can tap a button and my vacuuming is done for me while I work on other things!” Yeedi Mop Station Pro, $799.99, Amazon.

ClassPass. “I really enjoy ClassPass. It makes it so easy to explore different studios and workouts and fit them into my busy schedule. I have always been a ClassPass user, but see so much more value in it now with my unpredictable schedule.” ClassPass.com.

For more Mother Essentials, peep our recent features on Essential Labor author Angela Garbes, The Mamas author Helena Andrews-Dyer, Olivia J founder Shae Jones, author Brynne Barnes, Tisha Thompson of LYS Beauty, Blueland’s Sarah Paiji Yoo, Heirloom’s Sri Bodanapu, Lady Falcon Coffee Club founder Buffy Maguire, the mama-duo behind Spring & Mulberry chocolate, Dear Bella Creamery co-founder Alice Cherng, designer Becky Hui Chan, author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, ByHeart co-founder Mia Funt, Backdrop founder Natalie Ebel, Oui The People founder & CEO Karen Young, author-illustrator Grace Lin, the co-founders of ODDOBODY, Happy Family Organics’ CEO Anne Laraway, YA author J.Elle, kid-lit authors Karen Chan and Suzanne Greenlaw, the founders of EADEM, and Minimalista author Shira Gill.

The post Mother Essentials: Jasleen Kaur of Sach Foods appeared first on MOTHER.

“The first three years of life is a period of tremendous brain growth, so that by the time you’re 3 years old, your brain is 80% of the size of an adult’s and has twice the connections. That early period of brain development is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get things absolutely right,” explains Purzner. “During that period, different regions grow at different times and each region requires its own set of specific nutrients to grow optimally.”

Cerebelly has two main innovations—Organic Purees and Smart Bars—that are setting a standard above the industry benchmark, with products crafted from whole foods, focusing on organic, veggie-first, no added sugar ingredients, and 16 key brain-supporting nutrients.

Below, the folks at Cerebelly break down the role these key nutrients play in early childhood development.

Choline is an essential nutrient that is crucial for brain development. The brain uses choline, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, to support the parts of the brain involved in memory storage, recognizing people’s faces, spacial awareness, language, and learning. It’s also important for activating muscles.

Copper is considered to be an essential nutrient for the brain and body. Small amounts of copper, along with certain enzymes in the brain, help form key neurotransmitters that help brain cells “talk” to one another. This is akin to how signals between phone wires allow us to have phone conversations. Copper is also a key nutrient that helps support the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for memory.

DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acid) is a polyunsaturated fat found in food. It plays a critical role in the growth and development of the brain, eyes and nerves. Your little one’s brain is going through a growth spurt—a critical window of opportunity. The ability of each brain cell to mature and communicate with other brain cells, depends, in part, on the amount of DHA available. Learn more about DHA here.

Iron is one of the most important nutrients for babies’ overall growth & development. It is a micronutrient that the body uses to carry oxygen to all parts of the body, including the brain and muscles.

Iodine is a nutrient that is present in small amounts in our body but is critical to our health. Iodine supports areas of the brain involved in vision, auditory development, language, balance, muscle coordination, motor and sensory functions. It’s also important for healthy thyroid function.

Lutein is a vitamin-like nutrient called a carotenoid, which acts as an antioxidant. Lutein supports the primary visual cortex, a part of the brain responsible for organizing and processing the things we see. It’s also been shown to impact memory by helping the brain make new associations.

Protein is a powerhouse nutrient that supports the growth and development of almost all body structures and regulates their function. Babies use protein for developing strong muscles, bones, and a healthy immune system. Protein supports brain development by playing a crucial role in the actual building of the brain’s scaffolding and for brain cell function.

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This post is brought to you by Mother + Cerebelly.

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I started baking with my daughter right before her fifth birthday. Our home’s never-ending supply of browning bananas seemed as good an excuse as any to whip up a loaf of banana bread. We mashed the bananas, mixed the dry ingredients together, scooped in the secret ingredient (sour cream), added the eggs and vanilla extract, sprinkled in the chocolate chips (skip the walnuts), and popped our pan in the oven. We waited until we could smell the sweetness fill the air, helping us drum up an appetite and pulled our tin out. It was flat as a pancake.

“Mom! It doesn’t look like banana bread!”

I racked my brain with what went wrong. What did I forget? I’d measured things out, reached over and leveled off the flour, pulled the baking powder out of the pantry, let her crack an egg, that predictably got all over her hands and the countertop. We scooped the sour cream out, I stole a few chocolate chips from the bag while she measured those, and took over for the final mixing and pouring of the mixture into the pan.

Ah, the baking powder. We never put in the baking powder that I pulled from the pantry.

I fessed up.

“Mommy was rushing and didn’t put in the baking powder, so that’s why it didn’t rise.”

My daughter looked at me for a few seconds. Her eyes scanned my face, and she began to speak.

“It’s okay, Mommy. It reminds me of the mochi rice cake that Hammi makes. I think it will still taste good.” (Hammi is our nickname for Grandma). 

I couldn’t believe it.

Here was my daughter, comforting me for a baking session gone awry. The daughter that a few days earlier burst into tears while writing her “2s” because they were flipped the wrong way, proclaiming that she would never be good at anything because she couldn’t even write a “2.” The same daughter that would repeat over and over to herself that she had to “be perfect” when something wouldn’t quite turn out the way she had intended. Yet, in the kitchen, her never-ending pursuit of “perfect” faded away. What was it about cooking with kids that teaches them (and us parents) so much?

The very act of cooking is transformational. A few unassuming ingredients can magically become something else altogether. Sometimes the same actions lead to slightly different results. Sometimes, after you’ve made something a few times you might riff on it, tweaking the recipe and gaining confidence as you build skills. But it helps kids, like my daughter, learn that there’s not always just one path to right and that “discovery” moments abound in the kitchen. 

Yes, there are recipes to follow but each time it might come out a little bit different. There’s room for experimentation, mistakes, ingenuous inventions, and moments to remember. A perfect example? Scones—a mixture that feels so wrong as the shaggy, messy dough comes together, a deliciously hands-on task in and of itself. Add in a few of your top mix-ins and it becomes a yum-inducing, cozy treat. 

Beyond gaining new skills (or just having a good time), cooking opens up their palates, encouraging them to try new flavors and textures. From a young age, my husband and daughter would taste spices together while cooking. They would first sniff them, trying to guess what they were smelling, followed by a taste test. Some she liked (smoked paprika) and some she didn’t like (cumin). These taste adventures always led to conversations around being open to trying new things—maybe it smelled strong to the nose but it tasted amazing when mixed into the dish itself.

Perhaps most surprising, I’ve  found that cooking with my kids is good…for me. It helps me slow down for a bit and remember that messes aren’t the worst (and that even grown-ups make mistakes). My daughter, who is now seven, and I still talk about our mochi banana bread discovery, especially when talking about things not going as planned. It opened my eyes to the power of these discovery moments. Yes, sometimes I step in to get things done faster, more accurately or efficiently, but I’ve learned that given the time, space, and agency to figure it out for herself, she rises to the task and often in a way I would not have predicted. It’s a lesson in navigating through the world and problem solving with joy for both of us.  

There are many other reasons why cooking with kids is beneficial (the reading and math parts), but for my family it’s about the creativity, the riffing, and the improvisation that develops confidence that make being together in the kitchen all the better. These moments inspired our newest Material collection—The Kids Set, pint-sized versions of some of our favorite tools in punchy colors and grippy materials, perfect for the youngest cooks in your kitchen (or those looking for a pop of color). To help jumpstart the creativity, we teamed up  with our good friends: cookbook author, Joshua David Stein, and illustrator, Erin Jang to develop a visual recipe game that encourages experimentation and imaginative thinking when in the kitchen. We hope it inspires some memorable (and tasty!) moments in your kitchens!

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The post Mom Talk: The Joy Of Cooking With Kids appeared first on MOTHER.