How to Open a Coconut

While driving around Kauai last week the girls were fascinated by all the coconuts sitting at the tops of Palm trees. They asked to buy a fresh coconut to eat, but getting the coconut meat out isn't always easy if you don't happen to carry around a machete. Here's what I found from my "research" which included hitting coconuts with hammers and throwing them at the ground like some sort of medicine ball workout. Ahem. 

Read on to find out how to easily open a coconut! 

Tips for Traveling with Kids

Aloha! Please excuse the absence last week. We desperately needed some family time and took a little trip to Hawaii. I will have new recipes and trip details for you soon, but since many of you are getting ready for summer travel, I thought it the perfect time to share some tips to make traveling with kids as much fun as possible. Because it can definitely be NOT fun - I've been there. These tips are from my experience with my preschoolers, but you can adapt them to your kids' ages. The trick to making long plane and car rides go by quickly is to stay busy by preparing fun new things to do. Miraculously, my 3 and 5 year old didn't ask when we would be there once during the 5 hour flights! Success! 

Read on for the tips! 

Spring Peas and Carrots Risotto

Before I get to the recipe... I just wanted to remind you that it's teacher and nurse appreciation week. Don't forget to thank the teachers and nurses in your life for all the good they do. 

Okay, here we go...

Risotto is one of those dishes that people complain about being long and tedious to make. Though I have made risotto many times before, I still get this notion stuck in my head. The other day I was chatting on the phone with a girlfriend who was busy with her baby and 5 year old and mentioned she was "just" making risotto for dinner since it was a busy day. She reminded me that homemade risotto really is a one-dish dinner that can be made in 30 minutes - not bad! It's easy too... it's all about stirring broth into the rice until it's nice and thick. Precise measurements aren't necessary, just keep adding that liquid! You can always use any veggies you have in your fridge, but peas and carrots are in season and a favorite kid combination. 

But just to keep things real... 

You will need to stay nearby the stove for those 30 minutes of cook time. ^My floor looked like this at the end of it. Totally worth it for homemade risotto if you ask me. 

 Did you know... peas are high in protein and when combined with rice provide a complete protein (all amino acids present).

Read more and get the recipe after the jump! 

Easiest Fish Tacos, Pineapple Guacamole, and Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Though we're not celebrating with a party, we always celebrate Mexican food. I love fish tacos with grilled fresh fish, but many kids prefer crispy fish tacos so I have to share a little secret for busy nights (aren't they all busy???)... 

Keep reading after the jump for the rest of the recipes! 

Girly Sock Monkey Birthday Party

It's amazing how different two sisters can be. I have one who is all about princesses and pink and jewels and glitter. And another who couldn't care less about those things. She loves monkeys and silly things and I just love her for that. Miss L requested a sock monkey theme for her 3rd birthday, so here's what I did... 

More after the jump! 

Beet Burger Recipe

So, I've had the same lunch for the past 3 days. I just can't. get. enough.

 It all started last week when we had dinner at Eureka!, a fabulous burger restaurant. It's casual, but with high quality food. Our server brought the girls complimentary watermelon and avocado slices when we got there, along with coloring pages and crayons. Mama did a big sigh of relief and the kids stayed in their seats the whole time. I tried Eureka!'s San Joaquin Veggie Burger, which was made out of beets. All the food surpassed my expectations. Especially this veggie burger. I had to have more. I think I have a beet burger addiction.  

This is such a satisfying comfort food recipe, but so healthy and plant based you can feel good about eating it. I made extra with the plan of freezing some for the next time we have burger night. But then I just kept eating them for lunch. I loved being able to chomp into a hearty burger that was non-greasy. Top it with some cheese if you like - I chose fresh mozzarella. It's like Michael Pollan said, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants." I like you, Mr. Pollan, I like you. I didn't know if I was going to be able to come up with a recipe for beet burgers, but these are exactly like the one I remembered. Eureka! 

It's all super simple. Toss a can of beans, some raw beet chunks, garlic, and some basil in the blender or food processor and whirl it around a few times. 

 Read more after the break!