Rachael Ray

As if lunch duty isn’t hard enough… Parents also have to master the art of the after school snack. And as most of us will attest, it’s harder than it sounds. Snacks have to be fast and easy because the clock is ticking. Homework, chores, sports and other activities are all demanding attention from your child (and probably you). They have to be nutritious because… Well, they just do. And they have to strike the right balance of fueling your kids through the rest of the afternoon without leaving them too full for dinner. For all those reasons, my No. 1 go-to after school snack for my son is yogurt. It’s healthy, filling (but not too filling), fast and easy (he can [...]...

My daughter turned 13 earlier this month and when a friend said to me “how is that possible that you have a teenager?” I looked in the mirror and was not at all surprised. I am so pleased by the person she is becoming - lovely, sensitive, funny, generous, kind. All of the work that my husband and I put in early on seems to paying off - with all three of our children. They are (usually!) fun to be around, pleasant company - I think at its simplest, that’s really the gist of parenting - raising kids who are good people. My newly teenaged daughter loves chocolate, but she also loves my lemon squares, and I don’t make them very [...]...

If time is a measure of success, than classic beauty looks that have lasted the ages are a great example. From a classic haircut to red nail polish, there are some beauty looks and products that work just as well in 2013 as they did in 1994. Here are some classic looks to take inspiration from today. Brooke Shield’s Bold Brows Bold brows have been having a moment on the catwalk for a few seasons now, and Brooke Shield’s was the original brow girl. We first got a glimpse of these famous beauties in Blue Lagoon, and while the ‘90s saw us all plucking everything we had, it looks like Brooke had the right idea all along. Grace Kelly’s Nude Nails Grace Kelly was [...]...

I just received my yearly batch of maple syrup from Circle C Maple Farm, a small family business run by Joe and Cathy Cicero on their farm in New York State. I’ve been ordering their organic maple syrup for the last few years, and as soon as my order came in, I knew what I needed to do: make pancakes. Before I get to the recipe, here’s the backstory on the maple syrup that inspired me to make them. Circle C Maple Farm is nestled in the Shawangunks Mountains “The Gunks.” My friend Jen Ward is Joe’s niece, and she spread the word about Circle C to all her fancy friends (like me) in New York City, and that’s how I [...]...

It’s no secret that I love oatmeal. I literally eat it all year round. I do however like to mix it up a bit as the weather warms up and make a chilled version of my favorite breakfast food. The best part is, it’s not only super quick to toss together, it can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe is wide open to interpretation. In fact, I encourage you to play around with your favorite dried fruits and nuts and even spices. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination, so go wild!! Every  ingredient in this recipe is wholesome so it’s the perfect way [...]...

A few months ago I made the commitment to myself to eat healthier and exercise more. I am proud to say I’ve been doing great! It is never easy to take care of yourself when you also have a family to care for, but I reached the point where I knew it was essential to take charge of my own life and work on “me” for a change. And let’s face it, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t no one gonna be happy, amiright? I’m happy to say that I’ve lost a few LBS and am feeling great thanks to weight training and a vow to eat cleaner, which means sticking to higher protein, good carbs and no processed foods at all. [...]...

Last week I gave you the recipe for my new morning obsession: Almond, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. This week, I want to share my newest breakfast love with you: Almond, Cocoa, Banana Blast. Are you seeing a pattern here? It’s no secret I love sweets and, well, I will sneak chocolate and almonds into anything I can so it should be no surprise that this recipe has a little cocoa powder in it. Anyway…a few months ago I became fascinated with the concept of smoothies you can “chew”. Sounds funny, I know! But I was never all that satisfied using a smoothie as a meal or snack because, well, I like to chew! I find the process of chewing very satisfying and the thought [...]...

There’s one thing women want from their haircut: To look good all the time. Whether it’s on the weekend, at a formal gathering, at work, in the supermarket, or in the park, making sure your hair works to suit your lifestyle is important. The right cut can make you feel confident, prettier, and happier. But choosing the right cut is only half the battle. The other half? Learning how to style your locks so they suit your day, the occasion, your mood, and the rest of your look. My looks for Ulta are not only easy to maintain, they’re also super easy to style. Mist hair generously from scalp to ends with Redken Layer Lift 07. Blow dry using a Denman Brush and [...]...

It may be spring but as I see it, oatmeal is an any-time-of-the-year food. It’s super nutritious, filling and delicious. Over the years I’ve made many versions and I never seem to run out of new ways to jazz it up. I like to keep my breakfasts relatively healthy, but I also want to feel that what I’m eating is special so I’m always working on ways to keep the first meal of the day exciting and healthy at the same time. It’s important to have a good balance of carbs and protein in the morning to help sustain you until your next meal. With that in mind, I try to add things to the oatmeal that will help keep me [...]...