http://smartyparents.com Making Family Mealtime Matter Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:50:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en All "smarty parents" should make it a priority to enjoy family mealtime. While studies focus on benefits to teens, we believe it's imperative that we parents make family mealtime a habit as early as possible. I was very blessed to be able to write this article for the Huffington Post regarding ... http://smartyparents.com/making-mealtime-matter/mealtime-is-family-time/ While recycling to the extreme that we see in the Pacific Northwest may not be possible in many parts of the United States, we feel "smarty parents" should teach children to do their part. This can start with simply putting your soda can in a recycling bin. Or you ... http://smartyparents.com/whats-a-smarty-parent/someone-who-recycles/ The Piggy Platter PLUS a Bumkins Bib: the perfect combination meal and craft time! This gift pack includes two award-winning products: a Bumkins’ Super Bib and a Smarty Parents’ Piggy Platter placemat and craftmat, both in your choice of styles and colors. Both are made in the U.S.A. The front pocket ... http://smartyparents.com/smarty-parents-misc/using-coupon-codes/free-superbib-with-piggy-platter-purchase/ Breakfast with visiting friends and family on a Saturday morning is a perfect time to make this dish. Think french toast, cinnamon roll casserole: In a small bowl mix 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 cube of butter and 2 Tablespoons of Karo's light corn syrup. Spread on the ... http://smartyparents.com/heatlhy-fast-recipes/fall-winter/yummy-gooey-goodness-for-breakfast/ When my husband and I found out I was pregnant, we immediately switched to drinking organic milk. It was so much more rich, thick and flavorful than regular! Since then we've tried to buy organic whenever possible, especially with two healthy young boys in the house. But, as entrepreneurs ... http://smartyparents.com/smarty-parents-misc/products-we-love/buying-organic/ Kudos to Cranium for coming up with this awesome idea...which we totally stole from their ad in Parenting Magazine ;o) It's Mix & Match Snack Time What to do: Toss a variety of snack time ingredients onto a Piggy Platter and let the kids make their own creations. For instance, use ... http://smartyparents.com/heatlhy-fast-recipes/snack-time-creations/ Check out the amazingly fun art-maker at Kerpoof Scholastics! It's a great tool for designing and printing your own Platter Pix-like art. (Or you can let the kids do it themselves with your help. It's very thematic and drag-n-drop.) Have fun! http://smartyparents.com/piggy-platter-uses/design-print-your-own-platter-pix/ As the season's begin to get more and more chilly, and the squash nears the end of its season, we often turn to pasta-bake for dinner. It's as simple as cooking your favorite non-spaghetti pasta, tossing a few ingredients together and baking. It's a one-dish wonder and you may even ... http://smartyparents.com/heatlhy-fast-recipes/easy-to-make-pasta-bake/ Below are some fun and free activities that go great with a Piggy Platter.  Simply download, print them out and let the kids go bananas! Coloring Pages: Sesame Street, NASA, Nick, Jr., Noggin, Veggie Tales Hidden Pictures from Highlights:  Print out these pages then cut out the two image boxes.  Place them ... http://smartyparents.com/piggy-platter-uses/free-platter-perfect-art/piggy-platter-perfect-activities/ We've been scouring the wonderful Web to find some fun, free art that you can print on your own for the kiddos. Then place the art under your child's Piggy Platter. In most cases, you desktop wallpaper for your computer is perfect for the Platter because it's ... http://smartyparents.com/piggy-platter-uses/free-platter-perfect-art/free-piggy-platter-perfect-art/