Tallahassee Offers Grade A Family Fun
Florida’s Capital is More Than A College Town! Tallahassee is one of Florida’s most famous cities ─ recognized as home to our state’s capitol and legislature and, as many ‘Noles fans can attest to, the stomping grounds of Florida State University (FSU), an institution comprised of 16 separate colleges and more than 110 centers, facilities, labs, and institutes that offer... Read More
Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving
Getting your family to eat heart-healthy, especially during the holiday season, takes effort! But the American Heart Association can help. Kick off the season by taking part in National Eating Healthy Day on Wednesday, November 4. Then, use AHA recipes to serve up delicious & heart-friendly Thanksgiving dishes. Mom’s Roasted Turkey with Butternut Squash and Asparagus Serves... Read More
Devilishly Delicious Halloween Treats
The devil made us do it… yes, we’re induldging in these red velvet cakes and loving every sinful bite. This recipe uses red food coloring mixed with chocolate cake batter to achieve a fiery hue. Red Devil Snack Cakes Ingredients | Makes 25 snack cakes Cake 1 cup Land O Lakes Butter 1 cup water 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2... Read More
Pumpkin Decorating Made Easy
10 No-Carve Approaches to Halloween Maybe you grew up carving Jack-o-lanterns and want your kids to experience this cherished Halloween tradition. Carving pumpkins can be a gooey blast for the whole family. But, for many, the sticky mess and time commitment can be among the most frightening elements of Halloween! Don’t be scared to try a simpler decorating approach. Just select... Read More
Water Drop Magnets
Homemade gifts of gratitude are ideal for grandma & grandpa, especially for Grandparents Day (September 13). These personalized magnets look like water drops, but create a familiar splash when filled with the faces of grandchildren. Supplies 1″ glass marbles with a flat side Pictures Hot glue Pencil Scissors Magnets Directions Place marble on top of a picture. Using a pencil,... Read More
Pizzoccheri Gratin
This soul-satisfying comfort food ─ which stems from Trentino, a beautiful mountainous region in Italy ─ is based on pantry staples (and kids’ favorites) such as cheese, potatoes, and pasta. The cheese choice is entirely yours, but the chef recommends using fontina, Brie, buffalo mozzarella, or other stretchy, ooey gooey cheese. Ingredients | Yield: 4 servings ½ cup salted... Read More
A Day at Stanley Pond Adventure Farm
If you’re looking for an exciting outing that the whole family can enjoy and won’t break the bank, consider spending a day at Stanley Pond Adventure Farm. Located halfway between Lake Harris and Lake Apopka, near the small town of Astatula, the farm is less than an hour away from Orlando’s theme parks but feels light years away from the long lines, high prices, and crazy crowds. Bob... Read More
Easy Back-to-School Meals
Incorporate soy into your child’s diet for a change of pace Back to school time is a hectic transition for the entire family. Carpools, afterschool activities, and homework can make it difficult to incorporate wholesome meals into the day. However, it’s important to make sure your child is eating a nutritious diet to keep energy levels high and concentration focused in school.... Read More
Ice Cream in a Bag
It’s summertime and the weather is super hot. Your kids need a cool treat. Plus, you could use another activity to keep them busy, right? You can help them learn about the science behind ice cream! Here is a simple science experiment that will produce a tasty treat. Materials: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup half-and-half ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup ice cream salt Ice cubes 1... Read More
Escape to the Islands… Without Leaving Florida
Among Florida’s most cherished destinations lies a handful of hush-hush hideaways that savvy travelers hope the crowds will never discover. So consider this article confidential! Untouched and unfussy, these sunshine-kissed island locales offer a quiet, laidback escape for people who are looking to step away from hectic family life and into vacation paradise. Cayo Costa With its... Read More
Independence Day Celebrations
Country star Martina McBride, known for “Independence Day” and many other powerful tunes, is ready to dish! Log onto OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com and enter to WIN Around the Table by Martina McBride, a cookbook filled with recipes & inspiration for gatherings throughout the year. All-American Backyard Burger Ingredients | Serves 10 to 12 5 lbs. ground chuck (80% lean) 3 cups... Read More
4 Easy Treats for the 4th of July
Everyone will be bringing something to the 4th of July picnic, but you can bring the grand finale. Each of these tasty sweet treats captures the flair of the 4th without the fuss. In just a little time, you can add patriotic color and fun flavor to classics like cupcakes, ice cream cones and cookies. Dipped Ice Cream Cones: Add color and crunch to your cones with a dip in red,... Read More
Seashells Candles
Transform your collected seaside treasures into beautiful candles! These homemade seashell decorations can add a beach-inspired touch to your home, and are perfect for summertime table settings. Materials & Tools Wax candle flakes Tea lights Seashells Glass container Pot Essential oils (optional) Directions Candle wicks: Pop tea light candles out of their metal tins and... Read More
DIY Chalkboard Lap Mat
These DIY chalkboard lap mats will keep kids occupied, entertained, and quiet when traveling in a car or airplane, or at restaurants. Supplies 1/2 yard of thin vinyl or washable fabric (Note: Craft tested using waterproof PUL fabric.) 2 felt squares for inner panels or 2 rectangles of scrap, 8×10 in. size Chalkboard fabric square, 8×10 in. Small scrap of 8-in. ribbon Trim... Read More
Chorizo and White Wine Meatball Tapas
In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ve selected a delicious recipe that represents our editor’s mother-in-law and publisher’s mother ─ both of whom are from Madrid, Spain. By embracing classic Spanish ingredients, we’re traveling back to our family roots through cuisine! Ingredients 2 slices of bread, crusts removed 1/3 cup white wine 4 ounces chorizo, uncooked sausage 1 pound... Read More
Florida’s Most Unique Accommodations
Want to create long-lasting vacation memories? Make your family’s next trip unforgettable by staying at one of these unique rental properties! Island Retreat Rent your own private island off Marathon in the Florida Keys! Situated on Pretty Joe Rock, officially named Sea Shell Key, sits a two bedroom, two bathroom, air-conditioned conch house with bamboo and rattan furniture, cathedral... Read More
Bike Your Way Around Florida
National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, is celebrated during May in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage residents to embrace this treasured pastime. Want to pedal beyond your neighborhood? Log onto BikeOrlando.net to explore 19 different bike trail... Read More
DIY Tug Toy
Don’t toss that old t-shirt! Snip it up to make a simple tug toy for your furry friend. Every dog loves to play both fetch and tug-of-war, so this craft combines the two in one DIY toy. Supplies 1 old t-shirt 1 tennis ball scissors Instructions Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface and mark off your cuts. You’ll want to make two pieces that are... Read More
Florida Horse Country
Did you know that much of our sunshine state can be explored by horseback? From the gentle slopes of secluded forests, to swampy wetlands, to picturesque river banks teeming with wildlife, plenty of horse trails are waiting for you to take a ride! With over 300,000 horses and more than 12,000 horse farms, Florida is a horse lover’s paradise. If you love horses but being a spectator... Read More
Impress Spring Party Guests with Surprise Sweets
Transform an ordinary cupcake into something extraordinary with a peek-a-boo filling. These simple cupcakes are a fun addition to any spring celebration, including Easter and beyond. And the best part about this party trick? It’s easy! Spring Party Ideas Easter Extras: Who said Easter baskets are just for the kids? Treat your holiday guests to take-home cupcakes served... Read More
8 Tips for Camping with Children – and Actually Enjoying it!
I am not a stellar camper – I’ve probably camped just five times in my life. But I have this urge to take my children camping this year. I have visions of a family-focused adventure; hot dogs and s’mores by the fire; fishing and swimming in a lake; and leisurely hikes through a beautiful, wooded park. I just know that my kids (ages 2, 4, 7) will love it ─ following a brief... Read More
