Last week my kids and I were lucky enough to be visiting our friends, the Cardens, when Jen was concocting a delicious and playful drink in the kitchen. She was using rainbow colored Boba (Asian tapioca pearls) and mixing them into a drink for the kids to enjoy.

I wasn’t feeling well tonight and was thinking of the types of comfort foods that I used to enjoy as a child when I was sick – and tapioca pudding came to mind. I wondered if I could use some of the rainbow Boba that Jen sent me home with…and onto the internet I journeyed.

I found a recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, Simply Recipes, and am in the middle of making it now. I am on the last portion of the recipe, and my concoction is bubbling gently on the stove. Aside from the burning smell resulting from when my pot of milk boiled over, things are looking pretty good.

Here is the recipe – I just licked the spoon and can’t wait until it is cool enough to try. Stay tuned for more feedback after the kids and I have given it a thorough taste test.

Tapioca Pudding Recipe

It’s the end of the school year, and the last thing you want to do is pack another lunch for your kids. And if your kids are sticking around the house this summer, you won’t have to. But for the families whose kids go to summer camp or go on fun day trips, lunch has to go, too. While the ideal may be to get your kids to learn how to pack their own lunches, not all of us are quite there yet…

During one of my guest appearances on ABC’s View From the Bay, my kids and I demonstrated how to make several fun and creative recipes that are perfect for the lunch, to-go. We also show several waste-free lunch items that are available in our online store.

I have always wanted to try making pizza on the barbecue. I heard it could be done, but had awful images floating through my mind of the dough slipping between the bars of the grill, resulting in disaster. But at last, I gave it a try – and boy am I glad that I did!

Pizza is the ideal food to create for a family – each person can customize his or her own toppings, resulting in a peaceful meal time, with no complaints. Pizza made on the grill is no different.

Before putting the shaped dough on the grill, I brushed it with some oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. In the kitchen, I tossed some whole scallions and asparagus with a bit of the same oil, some salt and a little pepper. I put those on the grill at the same time as I started to cook the pizza dough.

After about 6 minutes, everything was ready to come off the grill and go back to the kitchen for a bit more work. I flipped the pizza crusts over, so the grill marks faced up. I topped them with some ricotta cheese, slivered sun dried tomatoes and sliced up grilled asparagus and scallions. For the kids, they wanted me to skip the greens (of course), but add some grated cheese over the top of the ricotta. Then, back out to the grill, to cook the bottom of the pizza crust and melt the cheese on top.

Sigh. Some things are worth waiting for – but my apprehension was not warranted in this case. I’ll be making this again, especially during the summer when I hate to heat the kitchen with a hot oven! I’ll let my imagination run wild with new toppings and flavors…and maybe the kids will eventually add something green to theirs.

I could hardly believe my luck when I found out that some parents from our school were scheduling a music performance around the same time that I was holding one of my Great American Bake Sales. John, the dad I spoke to, suggested we join forces and create a wonderful community event. Nothing could have been better – we had a fantastic family celebration in the park, complete with live music, barbecue and baked goods. It was amazing how everyone came together with the goal or raising money to help hungry children in America.

On our way to set up for the event, we passed a little boy who was selling snow cones from his driveway. Our daughter read his sign and exclaimed, “He’s not doing anything good – He just wants the money.”

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I guess. She is proud that we have worked together (with our school, scout troop and friends) to raise funds for the prevention of childhood hunger in America.

Several times during the afternoon and evening, I had to hold back tears. Families played soccer; kids laughed as they rolled down the grassy hill; and others sat happily on blankets listening to the sweet voice of Brian Joyce, a dad from our school who sounds just like (my favorite!) James Taylor.

As I approached the microphone to thank everyone for coming together for our cause, I was met with applause from the crowd…and for the 20th time that evening, I had to hold back tears. Boy, it feels good to energize a crowd and show them that helping others can be a fun and wonderful way to spend time with family and friends.

Our grand total for the evening, in case you were curious? $667! So far, we have raised over $1000, twice our initial goal!

Planning meals for a family can be quite a challenge. But when you get the kids involved, the culinary world is your oyster. Take a look at our guest appearance on ABC’s View From the Bay a few months ago – my kids and I share two recipes that we enjoy as a family: Polenta Bean Pies and Pear Ginger Crumble.

Because cooking with kids is my business, our online menu planning service, What’s Cooking Weekly, has some wonderful information about what to eat and how to get your kids involved. If you are in a meal planning rut or if you just need help deciding what to make each week, please give us a try.

The Ultimate All-In-One Website for Parents Seeking a Healthy & Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Andover, MA (April 14, 2008) – Despite widespread public concern about toy recalls, toxic sippy cups, vaccines and autism, and countless questions about the “best” ways to raise, nurture, feed, and discipline our children, parents have had few resources available to help them navigate the often puzzling landscape of 21st Century parenting. Throw in a seismic shift towards all things “green,” and it’s no wonder many parents feel bewildered about doing the right thing for their kids and the planet.

Until now…enter OrganicGreenMommy.com, bringing affordable, healthy, and organic eco-parenting to the mainstream. Accessible, digestible, and with an eco-chic style all its own, www.OrganicGreenMommy.com is the ultimate green online parenting destination, packed with informative articles, videos, resources, and products that no parent, regardless of income, education, or background, can go without.

Created by a mom (and dad) for moms (and dads) OrganicGreenMommy.com is the “child” of new mother Lauren Schnell Davison, a yoga teacher, holistic nutritionist, organic lifestyle coach, and TV personality who has made it her mission to combine her professional “green” experience with her passion to help other parents.

The underlying concept behind OrganicGreenMommy.com (OGM) is community. “It’s what is missing in society today,” says Lauren. “In past generations, moms and dads could sit around a communal fire every night to exchange ideas and support each other. This website is that community gathering place,” she adds, referring to the site’s interactive ways for parents to access and share information about living a holistic lifestyle.

The website features: OrganicGreenMommyTV (OGMTV), whose theme in April was vaccinations, including a thought-provoking interview with Dr. Robert Sears, the well-known pediatrician and author; an interactive Panel of Experts, including regular contributions from the site’s own holistic MD, as well as others in the fields of nutrition, exercise, child psychology, family therapy, and green living, to name just a few; an online Community Forum, covering an ever-changing array of timely topics; the OrganicGreenDaddy, created by Lauren’s husband Paul, with a blog, advice, and a community forum; the comprehensive Organic Green Shop, filled with green versions of everything from strollers to pacifiers to a complete set of nursery furniture, and much more; PARENT SWAP, a unique classifieds section for budget-conscious parents to swap and share products and services; and the world’s first complete Green Baby Registry, designed both for newborns and older children celebrating birthdays or holidays.

“Who wouldn’t want their children to grow up in a safer, greener and more sustainable world?” asks Lauren. “I created this site to inspire, inform, and empower parents to create a deeper connection with their children and the planet.”

Last August, I was on ABC’s View From the Bay talking about sustainability and community service in the kitchen. We finally have the video clip – and thought you might like to take a peek.