This year your Independence Day may be a little different, but whether you’re cooking for a small, safe group or just your own family, we’re sharing nine unique summer salads that will probably surprise and most definitely delight anyone who takes a bite. Try one, two, or any number of them for your Fourth of July Weekend and make the rest throughout the remainder of your summer vacation.

Father’s Day is around the corner and we can’t wait to help you celebrate the dads in your life. We know a thoughtful gift or two from the kitchen makes the heart (and belly!) extra happy; and we recognize it can be hard to get to the store to buy a gift these days. So, we’ve shared recipe ideas for Father’s Day breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks!

Calling everyone everywhere to kindness through cooking! We’re joining the #GivingTuesdayNow movement by making food and gratitude our priority on May 5, 2020. After all, cooking brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. The spirit of #GivingTuesdayNow is central to the idea that generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and that it is a fundamental value anyone can act on. We couldn’t agree more with this philosophy.

Do you struggle with a picky eater at home? Do you feel like getting them to eat real fruits and vegetables is a kitchen battle you can’t win? Probably most parents in America would answer yes to both of these questions. However, at ChopChop Family, we are strong believers that children don’t have to stay or become picky-eaters and that family cooking and eating time can be more than easy—it can be fun! That’s why the recently released book, “Kid Food,” caught our attention in a big way.

They say that many hands make light work, and when it comes to holiday cooking, we’d like the work to be as light as possible. However, sometimes having extra hands in the kitchen can be extra work, especially if those hands are attached to young cooks who are still honing their skills. We still believe that there are plenty of ways kids can help cook for the upcoming holidays. Below are some of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes that everyone in the family can help prepare. This year, let kids pick out one of these recipes and make it for the big meal. It might not make the work as light, but if kids start cooking now, in a few years, they’ll be able to make these dishes on their own. And that’s something to be thankful for.

One of our favorite things about cooking is that it teaches kids not only kitchen skills but also cultural literacy. Throughout ChopChop Magazine, you’ll find recipes derived from all over the world that anyone can try at home. And, in our local ChopChop Test Kitchen, we teach classes that feature these recipes as well. That’s why we were elated to learn about best-selling author Deanna Cook’s cookbook, “Cooking Class Global Feast!: 44 Recipes That Celebrate the World’s Cultures.” The cookbook (which is released today!) shows how food is a fun way to celebrate diversity. Through its step-by-step photos and tips, it helps kids gain practical kitchen skills in creative, interactive ways all while discovering cuisines from a variety of cultures.

We’ve cooked up something new! This month we launched the newest member of the ChopChop Family, Skillet. With ChopChop we reach kids and families, with Seasoned we reach older adults, and now we are excited to reach a new demographic of young adults who are living on their own.

As a gay immigrant of color, Nik Sharma is in many ways the ultimate outsider. But with his infectious passion for food and his sheer inventiveness at the stove, he creates recipes that appeal to everyone. Growing up in Bombay, India, with a Hindu father and a Christian mother, Nik was introduced as a child to the blending of culinary traditions and flavors. When he later spent time cooking with his husband’s mother in the American South, he came to know yet another style of cooking. “I started to play with ingredients that were new to me,” he says, “and transformed them with the techniques I learned in India. My two distinct worlds were coming together through aroma and taste.”

You know our vibrant photos that you see of our recipes and of kids and families cooking together? Well, they didn’t just magically appear…Thanks to our talented photographer, Carl Tremblay, as well as our gifted food stylist, Catrine Kelty, we have a plethora of photos that show how delicious real food truly is. We asked Catrine Kelty about her background, experience with food styling, advice for others wanting to be food stylists, and other fun questions. Come for a free public food styling demo with Catrine at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (4 S. Market St., Boston, MA) on October 17 at 5:30 p.m.

One of our favorite fall foods are pumpkin seeds. Since we’re carving pumpkins for jack-o’-lanterns this month, it’s a great time to save the seeds for snacks. If you don’t have any pumpkins on hand, you can buy raw green pumpkin seeds without their shells at the store.

The Kids Cook Monday (KCM) loves that ChopChop Family aims to inspire families to find time to cook and eat meals together.  With the hectic back-to-school season, parents and children will face the challenge of finding time for cooking and eating together. However, with some planning and adjustments, families can incorporate this important ritual into their busy lives.

It’s always a delight learning about like-minded organizations, individuals, and programs. That’s why, when we heard about Flint Kids Cook, we were excited to share what they’re doing with our readers. Flint Kids Cook was initiated in October 2017 as a six-week program for children (ages 8 to 14 years) at the Flint Farmers’ Market in Flint, Michigan. Created by Dr. Amy Saxe-Custack and Sean Gartland (Culinary Director at Flint Farmers’ Market), the program, facilitated by a chef and registered dietitian, is designed to allow children to actively participate in chopping, peeling, measuring, mixing, roasting, and sautéing fresh, healthy foods while learning about the importance of nutrition. Learn more about Dr. Saxe-Custack and how kids are cooking and learning life skills in Flint, Michigan!

We love meeting kids who are doing creative projects in the food world, like running their own businesses and volunteering to help at-risk communities. That’s why we were excited to interview a kid mushroom farmer, Te’Lario Watkins II, who is also one of our new Kids Advisory Board members. Te’Lario founded Tiger Mushroom Farms at the age of seven and began selling his mushrooms at local farmers markets. He has received attention from several local and national media outlets, including the Steve Harvey Show. Get to know him more in the interview below.

One of the things that sets us apart from other nonprofits and organizations is our Kids Advisory Board (KAB). Working closely with ChopChop Family, the KAB shares ideas on how to inspire others to cook real food in the kitchen. The members provide valuable perspectives on kids cooking, family meals, and overall health and wellness. We love how the KAB highlights the power young people have to create impactful changes within schools, communities, and beyond. Get to know our 2019-2020 board members by reading about each of them below.

Throughout the summer and into the fall, when eggplants are abundant, inexpensive, and at their peak of flavor, I cook them at least once a week. My favorite approach is to turn the flesh into a salad that I keep in the fridge ready to be used as a light lunch, a healthy snack, or a no-fuss dinner side dish. 

At ChopChop Family we love celebrating Grandparents’ Day. So we’re sharing three ways your family can honor this holiday to help the grandparents in your life know you’re thinking of them. 

We think many of life’s most important moments happen around the dinner table. It can be hard to get everyone together after work, soccer practice, school, and all the other activities each day brings, but it’s worth it and even researchers say so. 

Many cooks I know claim to hate green bell peppers. They think of them as no more than bitter versions of their sweeter red, orange, and yellow brothers. Me? I love them. But I admit that my reasons are as much personal as culinary.

Happy Birthday, Julia Child! To celebrate what would be her 107 birthday today, August 15, we are sharing an interview Sally Sampson (founder of ChopChop Family) did with her when Julia used to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sally used to own her own take-out shop near Boston, and many of her questions for Julia Child had to do with the food and restaurant scene in Boston at the time of the interview. Several of those questions have been omitted for the purposes of this blog post. Read Sally’s interview below, and get a greater glimpse into the thoughts and life of Julia Child!

Even though we love to cook here at ChopChop Family, we all have been a part of a morning panic that includes staring into the fridge hoping something will appear to grab for lunch. We also know that caregivers have to find creative ways to make and pack lunch for kids every day. Our editor, Catherine Newman, once said something that made us laugh: she couldn’t believe her kids wanted dinner again after she had just made them dinner the night before! Sometimes, packing lunch feels like that—didn’t I just do this yesterday?

We know school-day mornings can be chaotic. Yes, we’re also still pining for those lazy summer days when multiple backpacks and lunches didn’t have to be packed at the same time as everyone needing to be fed. But the school year is upon us and morning madness will commence, if it hasn’t already.

As a rule, I make everything from scratch. For me it’s easier, quicker, cheaper, more interesting, and infinitely more flexible (If a recipe has something I don’t like, I can omit it. Or if it has too much of something I do like, I can reduce it.). I make an exception for Trader Joe’s Zhoug Sauce: “a very spicy green herbal sauce with Yemeni roots,” which I liken to a spicy cilantro pesto (though it contains no cheese or nuts).

The Kids Cook Monday (KCM) loves that as ChopChop Family aims to inspire families to cook and real food together, families also learn about their culinary roots in the process. Introducing children to foods from their parents’ culture leads to an appreciation of their culinary heritage. Below KCM shares the story about how two American-born, pizza-loving brothers with Indian parents are beginning to embrace their culinary heritage by cooking as a family. Despite their hectic schedules, Anita Raja, a professor, and Cephas Swamidoss, an anesthesiologist, make sure they set aside time to cook with their sons: Luke, who is eight years old and Andrew, who is five. Over weekends and holidays, you can often find the family shopping for ingredients to cook Southern Indian dishes, many of which are inspired by foods Anita and Cephas ate while growing up.

We love learning more about like-minded individuals and organizations whose missions are similar to ours. So we were excited to interview Molly McKendry, a registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications for New England Dairy & Food Council (NEDFC). 

Read on to learn fun facts about Molly, what the NEDFC is, and how ChopChop Family and the NEDFC share a similar vision.

Even though I’m not a vegetarian, I find side dishes generally more interesting and exciting than the main dish, especially in the summer when fruits and vegetables are so abundant. My ideal meal for a dinner party is grilled salmon or chicken, accompanied by a bunch of great salads.

When I was growing up, my parents took me to the New York World’s Fair almost every weekend. And, almost every weekend, fireworks were displayed. The fireworks, etched into my memory, seemed as if they were breaking up the sky: massive, deafeningly-loud, and seemingly forever-lasting. I found them ominous and overwhelming and, as a result, have never been a fan of July Fourth. That is until I spent July Fourth in Nahant, a small Massachusetts town on a peninsula in Essex County, where the fireworks are of the old-fashioned sort: beautiful, short and sweet, and not scary at all.

This has been a very difficult year—in terms of the weather—in Massachusetts. There were warm days in the winter and very cold days in the spring. It felt risky to put away down coats and quilts and bring out the flip-flops. And even as late as May, it looked like the cold air would never come to an end, which made the thought of cold soups, salads, and tropical fruits uninviting, if not positively unappetizing.
 
But now, not only have we survived and progressed past an erratic winter, but even the spring has come and gone, without the threat of a snowstorm. I’m guessing that we’re heading for a very hot summer—in which case, there will be days you won’t want to turn your oven on.

When I make vinaigrette to pour over my vegetables I usually include Grey Poupon mustard. I’m not the sort who often boycotts companies but since Grey Poupon is owned by Kraft, I just couldn’t swirl it in. Their #LieLikeAParent campaign is disgusting, disheartening, and, even in a society where deception has come to “trump” honesty, shocking.

As the weather heats up, we’ll be looking for ways to cool down this summer. Even if you don’t have an ice-cream maker at home, there are plenty of ways to make your own frozen treats. Here are a few of our favorites, which can be made in blenders, food processors, or with even more basic kitchen tools. If you need a quick review of kitchen tools used, read How to Use a Melon Baller or watch our How to Use a Blender video. 

Haynes Altobello has been one of our ChopChop Test Kitchen teachers for almost two years. When she’s not involved with our cooking classes, she is teaching kindergarten at a local school. Haynes told us she loves ChopChop Family’s philosophy that kids can learn real cooking techniques and use real ingredients. She said, “The recipes aren’t ‘kid food.’ They’re interesting, delicious, and fun to make!” 

Here at ChopChop Family, we’re big believers in knowing all we can about our food and where it comes from. So we were excited to get to talk to Allison Akins, a seventh-generation Cabot Dairy farmer, about life on the farm and what her job is like. Here’s what Allison told us.

Wandering around Rome with my ten-year-old son, I came upon a little trattoria emitting such delicious aromas it simply stopped us in our tracks. 

There was no sign and no door, just some glass beads hanging down. We entered to find a whitewashed room with paper-covered tables and a scene that seemed straight out of Fellini. People were crammed into small chairs at tiny tables, gesticulating wildly as they devoured giant plates of food. All around us was the clatter of Roman dialect: strong, emphatic, and opinionated. 

What did kids learn in the ChopChop Test Kitchen this month? Read our latest blog post, where our cooking instructors answer this question. Discover how students gained confidence in their capacity to have a voice, read recipes, cook food, express creativity, and more.

How do you get kids cooking enthusiastically? First introduce them to the concept, then invite them to the kitchen, warmly welcome their participation and encourage fun in learning. This is the approach of ChopChop – one that inspires our initiative, The Kids Cook Monday.

This is just a highlight of the impact ESNY nutrition educators have on our youth. These quotes are from K-6th students at Albany Street Elementary School in Utica, NY. Students love when an ESNY nutrition educator comes into their classroom to teach them about healthy foods and show them how to make a recipe highlighting the “Harvest of the Month!”  

Here at ChopChop we focus more on cooking at home, but we have a lot of friends (like First Lady Michelle Obama and the organization Foodcorps) who advocate for healthier, better school lunches. So we were so excited to hear about Jennifer Devivo, who is the head chef for a public school in Martha’s Vineyard.

My life changed one day when my basil plants were in dire need of trimming and I made a big batch of pesto.  As soon as my five and a half-year-old daughter caught wind of this, she announced that she wouldn’t so much as eat a thimbleful and that from now on, she would only eat tomato sauce on pasta.  My four-year-old son, listening intently, announced that he wouldn’t touch tomato sauce, and would only dine on pesto. 

Throughout the year, people like to make resolutions and set goals  Many people like to make resolutions based on food and their diets. Though the category is broad, this allows for lots of room to come up with your own resolution that is exactly what you need. My resolution, for example, is to eat less processed foods. There are so many different options when it comes to making your own “processed” snacks instead of buying them in the store. It is easier, more fun, and much healthier for you.

Recently I found myself feeling a sudden, irresistible craving for Chinese Stir-fried Tomatoes and Eggs. I’ve known this dish—savory, sweet-tart tomato sauce folded around soft-scrambled eggs—my entire life. A version of it was my younger brother’s favorite food when we were growing up—and by “favorite food,” I mean it was basically the only thing he would eat for the first eight years of his life. When I worked in Chinatown, it was a staple of every $4 buffet in the neighborhood.

As we know, after any family gathering, party, or the holidays there are leftovers that take up space in the fridge. What should you do if you do not want to eat the same thing again, but also do not want waste? Use your leftovers! You can make multiple new creations!

Gail Arnold, known as Chef Gail to kids in the Test Kitchen, has been one of our fabulous Test Kitchen teachers for some time now and has been teaching our Edible Alphabet classes this year.  Gail has been cooking professionally since she was 18 years old (!) and in addition to cooking in restaurants, was director Steven Spielberg’s personal chef. This month we’re celebrating her cinematic connections with our Movie Night Cooking Class. 

Delicious, creamy, healthy; that sounds just like an avocado to me!  Avocados offer nearly 20 minerals and vitamins. These vitamins help fight off diseases, control your blood pressure, and have many other excellent benefits for the human body. Avocados can be used as a healthy substitute for oil, butter, shortening, sour cream, mayonnaise, and cream cheese in many recipes. Avocados can also be used to make countless delicious recipes.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Quintyn! In addition to cooking Quintyn likes to play video games and eat dumplings. 

Over the last few years, I have realized how important it is to go out of your comfort zone while cooking. I encourage myself to try new things, and I’ve learned that trial and error is ok. There are only two extremes that can happen when you are cooking something risky. It will either turn out amazing, or it will completely fail. That is the risk that must be taken.

For my school science fair, I was allowed to do almost any kind of experiment. I was thinking about what my classmates were doing, and it seemed that they were all doing things that fit their personality. The people who know me sometimes call me “The Consumer” because I don’t have a favorite food; I eat everything. I obviously had to do something on food.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Tori. She loves pancakes. It was the first thing she ever cooked and is now her favorite food. 

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Hannah. She wants to be an author, a singer, a chef/baker, and a teacher when she grows up.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Tate. Tate likes theatre, dancing, singing, karate, teaching himself piano, reading, drawing, and Netflix.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Thomas! Thomas likes learning tae kwon do, baking, cooking, farming and playing with his two kitties.  He also likes to do art projects like drawing, painting and making things out of clay.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Sienna. She loves to cook and act, and once ate caviar ( fish eggs)!

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Clare. She loves figure skating, reading, and hugging.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks we’ll be spotlighting different…

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Danielle! She likes crafting, cooking, reading and soccer and when she grows up she wants to work with the government.

We’re excited to introduce our new ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand-selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Hailey! In her free time, she likes to volunteer, play volleyball and tennis, and do Zen Doodle coloring.

Coming up with a menu for dinner can be challenging, especially a dinner that the entire family wants to eat. To help you with your dinner menu, I present to you the Dinner Chart.

We’re so excited to announce that we have partnered with the National WIC Association (NWA). Our magazine, ChopChop Sprout, is our improved version of our WIC edition of ChopChop. NWA is the non-profit education arm and advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC).

Everyone knows that traveling with kids means traveling with snacks. Snacks can help rescue your children from hunger and the ensuing crankiness. Trust us, those satisfied stomachs make for a much happier trip!

It’s easy to fall into the trap of grabbing something unhealthy, greasy or sugary when you’re on the go because it’s quick and readily accessible. Skip the chips and plan ahead with grab-and-go snacks the whole family can help make.

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Ellie. Ellie raises money for the humane society by hosting an annual fundraiser at her house. Last year she raised over $600, along with hundreds of dollars worth of supplies from their wish list.

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Maxwell. He spent the summer doing an internship with DoSomething, Inc., which helps launch worldwide campaigns to get teens involved making a difference. Now he’s back for a second term on the advisory board! 

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

I did not know what to expect when my sister, mom and I went to an interview to become Meals on Wheels volunteers this summer. The people from the Meals on Wheels program were very nice and gave us a tour of the building, instructions about the program and where to pick up meals to deliver. For the last two months, I helped my dad, mom and sister deliver meals each Tuesday at 10:30 AM.  I have learned 4 lessons from my experience: 

We love to hear about organizations who are using ChopChop. So, we were excited to find out that our friends at Bob’s Red Mill donated copies of the magazine to North Coast Food Web. The Oregon-based non-profit cultivates a healthy community and vibrant economy through food and agriculture. It is one of the many non-profits that receives support from Bob’s Red Mill. North Coast Food Web offers cooking classes, kitchen volunteer trainings, and camps.

What is healthy food? There is no right answer because nutrition is so complicated, and every pro seems to have a con. Some people say that eating raw kale can cause cancer because of the kale’s natural protection, but others say that it can prevent it. Some people say that it is really bad to eat red meat because of environmental and health impacts, others say that it is good for your blood because of all the iron. Although it can be confusing, there are some guidelines to help people make good decisions about what they eat.

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Sam! Sam’s only 13, but he’s already gotten to dine at the White House! Learn more about Sam, below.

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Katherine! Katherine’s main hobbies are playing volleyball, crafts, and of course, cooking and baking. She loves to bake wedding cakes for her family and friends. She has made 2 wedding cakes and is looking forward to making another one in September.

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Claire! 

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks we’ll be spotlighting different members of the board. This week, meet Henry! Henry might be a familiar face because he was on our board last year. We’re excited to have him back for year two!

Most likely you have heard at least once, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” And like me, you were probably confused about why people skip breakfast. So, I started doing some research about a month ago. 

Hey, New England! We’re coming to Festival at the Farm in Canton, Massachusetts on September 16 & 17, 2017. There will be live music, food, games, a kid’s zone, and local vendors all weekend long. And we’ll be there too, running a culinary workshop to showcase breakfast solutions for easier mornings. Stop by and say hello to the ChopChop team.

Over the past few weeks, the girl scouts from troop 88190 of Waltham, MA have come together at the ChopChop Test Kitchen to cook real food together. The 12 girls were interested in learning how to make some classic and tasty recipes while also refining their kitchen skills. With the help of some fundraising through cookie sales, the troop was able to take 3 extended classes at the ChopChop Test Kitchen.

Kids playing with their food is a good thing and here’s why… Hi, I’m Julian and I’m a proud member of the ChopChop Kids Advisory Board.  I’m here to tell you why kids play with food is a good thing.  Now, I know what you are thinking “kids…

Last week, the ChopChop Test Kitchen held it’s first Cooking Camp over April Vacation. Students from all over Massachusetts signed up and took part in the five-day cooking camp where they each learned new recipes, gained experience refining their kitchen skills, and making new friends in the process!

Being a Kids Advisory Board member for ChopChop this year really gave me some new experiences and let me meet new people. Before, I had never really thought about magazines or publications at all. Then I started distributing the magazine to different places around my town and neighboring towns. One of those places is my local library. I supply the library with a few copies of the magazine, and they put it on the check out shelf, put up a free pile, and they even created a cooking backpack that kids can check out.

I remember the exact moment when I fell in love with spices. I was sitting on the kitchen countertop in my pink Dora the Explorer nightgown as I watched my mother cook. I helped her scoop flour onto the cold, granite surface and made a small well in…

After years of planning and months of construction, the ChopChop Test Kitchen is finally a beautiful and functional reality! On March 19th, 2017, our ChopChop family and friends came together to celebrate the opening of the ChopChop Test Kitchen. About 100 guests took tours of the state of the art kitchen and learned how ChopChop plans on using the space for cooking classes, photo shoots, and recipe testing.

ChopChop Kids Advisory Board member, Maxwell Surprenant, had the opportunity to visit the White House in October 2016 with Scholastic to interview former First Lady Michelle Obama. ChopChop is excited to see our relationship with Mrs. Obama continue through our Kids Advisory Board Members.

Have you ever been on a long trip and you are really hungry? I have! Eating on a trip is not always healthy, mostly because fast food restaurants are easy to stop at on a long road trip. There’s a solution to this problem! The answer is: choose something you like to eat and make it ahead of time. You could make a quick recipe, like Crunchy Celery Sticks or a Turkey Wrap with Lemony Hummus and Cheese.

Now that we are about three months into 2017, I think it is important to assess where we stand with our goals and resolutions. Whether your goal is exercising more or trying new foods, we all want to improve something about our self so we can be the best we can. One way to help you improve your lifestyle is to start making smoothies. Smoothies are not only delicious, healthy, and filling, but they are a great way to start the day off.

We’re exciting for our upcoming 5% Day with Whole Foods Markets.  If you shop in any of the listed Whole Foods Market stores on that day, ChopChop will receive 5% of what you spend.

We’re reaching out to our neighbors (Massachusetts residents) to join us on March 7th to ShopShop for ChopChop! 23 Whole Foods Market stores in Massachusetts have taken on ChopChop as a recipient of their 5% day. If you shop in any of the listed Whole Foods Market stores on that day, ChopChop will receive 5% of what you spend.

Have you ever been to a farmers market? Maybe you’ve seen one as you drive down the road or you’ve seen the little stands out front of a house selling fruit and vegetables. Well, if you haven’t been to one you need to go! Maybe it’s the air filled with aromas of fresh herbs, or the sweet honey sticks I buy—I don’t know!—but I do know that farmers markets are wonderful if you want fresh fruit, vegetables, and other foods, like honey!

Hi, I’m Julian and I’m a proud member of the ChopChop Kids Advisory Board.  Today I am going to tell you about urban farming and how it helps communities get access to healthy foods for healthy living. Many kids take food for granted such as vegetables or foods they don’t like. But they should keep in mind that there are some people that don’t have much money and may not have much access to fresh foods because there aren’t many grocery stores close by. Instead, they can only buy food from convenient stores and fast food restaurants which don’t have many healthy options and that causes people to get sick.

This is a guest post from our friend Adam Ried. Adam has created some great recipes for us like Strawberry-Rhubarb Sprtizer, Warm Mulled Cranberry-Vanilla Cider, and Avocado, Sardine, and Veggie Sandwiches. Adam’s new cookbook is all about salad dressings. We’re asked him to share some of his new…

This is our last week receiving the Siena Farms Kids’ Share. This week, we are using our share to prepare dishes for a special holiday—Thanksgiving! Our Kids’ Share included Honeynut Squash, Leeks, Carrots, Savoy Cabbage, Purple-Top Turnip, Salanova Lettuce, Shallots, and Apples. The surprise was a kid’s chef’s…

Winter vegetable season is in full swing! This week’s share proved this to be true with vegetables including Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Honeynut Squash, Broccoli, Scallions, Leeks, Carrots, Watermelon Radish, Arugula, and a few Siena Farms pins for the surprise! The weather is cooling down at the ChopChop…

After months of fundraising and planning, we have officially broke ground on the ChopChop Test Kitchen! It’s only the beginning, but we’re off to a great start, including bench construction and kitchen framework being set. We will be periodically posting updates in the upcoming weeks—check it out: We…

Did you know that potatoes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors? Potatoes are great because not only are they so many types, but you can also cook them so many ways! This week’s Kids’ Share included three types of potatoes along with some other cold-weather vegetables: Russet…

Soup season has arrived! We love soups because they keep us warm during chilly Fall and Winter nights. Also, they are super fun to make and can be customized easily—not to mention, they make the entire house smell amazing! We decided to make ChopChop’s Ribollita with the Siena…

by Mareesa Ahmad It was a crisp spring morning as my mother and I crept quietly out of our Paris apartment, as my father slept soundly from an exhausting day at Versailles the day before. We chatted animatedly as we crossed La Tour Eiffel, which glistened in the…

This week’s share featured some classic fall fruits and vegetables: Purple-Top Turnips, Baby Red Russian Kale, Peter Wilcox Potatoes, Bolero Carrots, Shallots, Apples, Delicata Squash, and Sage. This week’s surprise was a mini-whisk. Roasting vegetables is a valuable kitchen skill to learn. If you have roasted vegetables before,…

Before we had refrigerators, people had to figure out ways they could store vegetables so they last longer. People learned that pickling (and making jams) were ways they could keep and eat their vegetables in the winter, when many fresh produce weren’t available. Luckily, we have refrigerators and…

It’s our sixth week of the Kids’ Share! For those of you who are just tuning in, ChopChop Kids is taking part in a third season with Siena Farms to bring families together in the kitchen with the Siena Farms Kids’ Share.  Kids get their very own vegetable…

We were excited to find out that Highlands Family Success Center (HFSC) in West Milford, NJ has taken on the #ChopChopCookingClub Challenge. The families are HFSC are doing one cooking challenge a month at Family Time. We’re excited to follow the progress of the class and see the new…

Who knew there were so many types of peppers! This week’s share was filled with all different shapes, sizes, and colors of peppers: Ripe Bell Peppers, Lunch Box Peppers, Shishito Peppers, and Jalapeno Peppers. Additionally, the share included Peter Wilcox Potatoes, Green Oakleaf Lettuce, and Garlic. This week’s…

Kids Really Rock Festival: A Celebration of Music, Art, Community, and Kindness A crowd of 7,000 people gathered at the Lawn on D for the fourth annual Kids Really Rock Festival, held last Saturday, September 24, in Boston, Massachusetts. I attended this event and soaked in the sunshine…

Have you ever had any kind of allergy? Well today I’ll be talking about my allergy and how to cook with an allergy. Lots of people have allergies when seasons change, but my allergy is a bit different. I have an allergy to gluten, which is an allergy…

Four weeks have past since we started receiving our weekly farm share from Siena Farms. Each week, our Kids’ Share is filled with fresh vegetables and a surprise! This week’s share included Orange Cauliflower, Green Cauliflower, Red and Orange Bell Pepper, Tuscan Kale, Cherry Tomatoes, Scallions, Chives, and…

Hi!  My name is Julian and I’ve been cooking since I was 3 years old. I love cooking because it’s super fun and I get to be creative and try new things.  Plus, I think its really cool that I am building a life skill where I know…

We love to eat the rainbow, which means filling your plate with as many colors as possible! The third week of the Siena Farms Kids’ Share was filled with a rainbow of vegetables including: Beefsteak Tomatoes, Zephyr Summer Squash, Black Bell Eggplant, Pink Bell Eggplant, Cucumber, Lunchbox Peppers,…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

It’s back-to-school which means back to school lunches. I recently had a chance to check out the new Wild Kratts lunch totes. These lunch totes sport characters from the popular show Wild Kratts on PBS Kids. The show is about two brothers named Chris and Martin Kratt, real…

It’s our second week receiving the Siena Farm Kids’ Share, and there seemed to be a yellow and green theme happening this week! The main ingredient happened to be fresh corn! Did you know—an average ear of corn contains 600 kernels in 16 rows! The box was filled…

We’re excited to introduce another member of our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the…

For the third season, ChopChop Kids and Siena Farms have continued a partnership to bring families together in the kitchen! With the Siena Farms Kids’ Share, kids get their very own vegetables for 12 weeks in a special quarter-bushel Kids’ Share box. Each week’s share is filled with…

My local bakery is King Arthur Flour, in Norwich, Vermont. This place is really unique. The bakery campus is huge! The campus includes a baking school, a gift shop, an inside seating area with a skylight, the counter where they sell baked goods, drinks, and lunch items, and chairs…

    When we heard that Lucy Chelton won an episode of the TV show Chopped Junior by making Rattlesnake nuggets with sweet-lime Hollandaise sauce, we knew she was a cool and creative kid! Even cooler than Lucy’s cooking is her generous spirit. Lucy decided to share her…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

As a member of the Kids Advisory Board for ChopChop Magazine, I share their mission to inspire and teach kids to cook and eat real food with their families. I have been teaching kids how to cook since the summer of 2014. When people ask me when their child…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

Last week, ChopChop had the honor of attending the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge Kids’ “State Dinner” as a part of her Let’s Move! initiative. Let’s Move! is dedicated to putting children on the path to a healthy future through family education, healthier food in schools,…

Food Shopping Let’s talk food shopping. Some people say that preparing food is the most important part of cooking, but in my opinion, the meal planning is the most important step in cooking. Everything is based on what you have in the refrigerator and how well you can…

We’re excited to introduce our ChopChop Kids Advisory Board (KAB). This group of cool kids was hand selected from kids that applied. They’ll help us to test recipes, think of new ideas for the magazine, and make sure ChopChop gets the kid approval. For the next few weeks…

Have you ever seen a prickly, spiny pineapple at your local grocery store and wondered where it came from? Do pineapples grow on trees or bushes? I recently had the opportunity to visit a family-run working pineapple plantation in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. Costa Rica is the number one…

Our summer issue is full of salad recipes packed with fruits and vegetables. We love Dole’s fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, so we’re excited to help spread the word about their Tour de Fresh Cycling Event.  Our summer issue features biking as a way to stay fit, AND…

With Spring in full swing and Summer on it’s way, what a better way to embrace the seasons with your favorite outdoor meals.  This month, we are featuring one of our favorite summer recipes, Burgers, in the latest ChopChop Cooking Club challenge. To turn your burger into a…

Mother’s Day has been celebrated in the United States for over 100 years as a way of honoring the sacrifices the mom in your life makes.  We love Mother’s Day, and what is a better way to celebrate the holiday than to make your Mother breakfast? To get…

It is important to celebrate the Earth for many reasons.  It provides us with a place to live and food to eat. The world does a lot for us, so today (and everyday!) is our chance to give back to the Earth. Here are some easy solutions to…

Spiralizing is the art of turning vegetables or fruits into noodles. This process is made simple by an inexpensive kitchen tool called the spiralizer. It works kind of like a pencil-sharpener, and you’re left with noodle-shaped produce.  We love pasta, but spiralizing vegetables (or fruits) is a tasty…

Did you know that millions of people read ChopChop all over the world? These people all use the magazine in a lot of different ways: from cooking at home, to teaching cooking classes, and also using it at school! We have recently introduced ChopChop Curriculum—the perfect tool for…

March 14 is Pi Day-the celebration of the number Pi.  Pi starts with the digits 3.14 so we celebrate on 3/14, or March 14.  A lot of people celebrate Pi Day by eating pie, even though “pie” with an “e” has a different meaning. We’re celebrating by making…

We believe that cooking and eating together is vital to every family’s health and happiness, no matter where you call “home.” Military families often face unique challenges, which is why we want to celebrate these special families for their resilience and sacrifice.  As a way to show our…

ChopChop’s mission is to get kids cooking real food at home with their families. And we are succeeding! ChopChop Magazine inspires over 3 million families each year with our tasty recipes. And most recently, our ChopChop Cooking Club has helped kids learn how to make essential recipes everyone…

It’s fun to make your own dye from fruits, vegetables, and spices! They don’t always come out the way you think: Cabbage, for example, looks purple but dyes the eggs pale blue. Experiment with other foods and spices: tea or coffee, paprika, grated beets, grape juice. Try painting…

  It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Since they say that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, we have some recipe ideas so you can really show the love. Apple Pie Smoothie Have a red breakfast and kick start off your morning with an Apple Pie Smoothie. This smoothie…

With our Test Kitchen Campaign nearing its end, we added some new perks to help us reach our goal! Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. And if you haven’t yet, now is your chance to get the latest ChopChop gear while supporting our goal! New…

If you watched this season of  MasterChef Junior, you probably remember vegetarian contestant Mia Evans. Mia is 12 years old and was born with a rare genetic condition called PKU that requires her to follow a strict, low-protein, diet for life. Mia learned to cook so she could maintain her diet…

Happy National Oatmeal Month! We don’t usually celebrate oatmeal, but we do eat it a lot. So this January, we’re taking a few extra opportunities to put one of our favorite breakfast foods in the spotlight. Here are four kinds of oatmeal you can make this month. We have…

Orren was one of the first members of ChopChop’s Kid Advisory boards and one of our first Healthy Heroes. It’s been a while since we caught up with Orren and we’re excited to hear he’s up to some really cool things-like writing a book! We talked to Orren…

It’s been a few weeks since the launch of our ChopChop Test Kitchen Campaign, and we are 11% funded! Thanks to everyone who contributed. We launched this crowd funding campaign to build the ChopChop Test Kitchen where we can test recipes, host workshops and teach cooking classes through…

Launching the ChopChop Test Kitchen Campaign We recently packed up our mixers, blenders, cases of magazines, cookbooks, and other odds and ends from our old digs to move to our new and improved ChopChop headquarters.  The new site is bright, open, and colorful—we even have a ‘parking space’…

  Happy New Year! Lots of New Year’s resolutions include something about health, often eating healthier and getting more exercise. One easy way to eat healthier is to cook your own food. When you and your family cook at home, you know exactly what’s going into the food you’re eating. We…

Of course you can buy pre-made nut butter and salad dressing, but it’s so much more fun to make it for someone. Plus, we think it’s more delicious. Put the nut butter and dressing into jars with custom gift tags for some great edible holiday gifts. Click through…

One of the great things about edible gifts is that you bring them wrapped up beautifully to a holiday party. These three breads, Pumpkin Loaf with Raisins and Dried Cherries, Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread, and Black Cocoa Banana Mini Breads look really fancy, but are easy to make. They also make…

We love giving and getting edible gifts. There’s so much food around during the holidays, though, that somethings it’s nice to give a gift that someone can make and later. These edible gifts are alternatives to classic holiday cookies, plus they’re a lot healthier. We’ll be sharing some of our…

Tis the season for gift giving. When we give a gift to the kids in our lives, we want it to be something that they will use and learn from. So this year, we rounded up cookbooks and books related to cooking and eating that we love. Here…

The season of thanks and giving is here, and with the holidays fast approaching we’ve come up with thoughtful edible gift ideas that are perfect for everyone on your gift list!  Edible gifts are the best kind.  We love them because they are homemade, thoughtfully packaged, personal, and…

This week’s kids’ share marks our final week of farm share season!  “Receiving the Kids’ Share from Siena Farms has been so much fun.  It has inspired me to cook plenty of creative and fun recipes with in-season fruits and vegetables as the focus,” reflected Abby. We love…

  If you’re watching Chopped Junior this season, you might notice a familiar face.  12-year-old Janie Wilson, who is on the cover of the Fall 2015 issue of ChopChop (holding a chicken) is a competitor on the new show.  Chopped Junior, which premiered October 27th, is the kids’…

This week marks our second-to-last Kids’ Share of the season!  Here’s what we received this week in our share: Rainbow Carrots, Bolero Carrots, Fennel, Leeks, Baby Cooking Greens, Scarlet Queen Turnips, and Apples. Our surprise was a mix of Siena Farms stickers, pins, and a ChopChop maze! For…

  Cooking with Disney and ChopChop One of our favorite things to do on cold winter nights is cook a nice warm meal and watch a movie together as a family-especially a Disney movie. So ChopChop has teamed up with Disney (and some of our favorite Disney characters!)…

Our ninth Kids’ Share was packed with great produce this week—and lots of carrots!  Here’s a list of what we received in this weeks share: Watermelon Radishes, Red Beets, Chioggia Beets, Bolero Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower, Kennebec Potatoes, Scarlet Queen Turnips, Green Oakleaf Lettuce, and our surprise was…

This week, we picked up our eighth Kids’ Share.  We have been cooking from the weekly share from Siena Farms for 2 months, and it has been a blast!  This week’s share contained some great seasonal vegetables: Honeynut Squash, Butternut Squash, Tuscan Kale, Onion, Rainbow Carrots, Apples, and…

For our seventh week cooking from the Kids’ Share, we received a surplus of colorful ingredients from Siena Farms!  The Kids’ Share is a weekly farm share for kids that includes a box of fresh produce, fun recipes, and a surprise. This week’s surprise was two small pinch…

This week, we received our sixth Kids’ Share, which included Broccoli, Rainbow Chard, Bolero Carrots, Scallions, Garlic, Easter Egg Radishes, Dill, and Cilantro from Siena Farms, plus a whisk! For this week’s dish, Abby decided integrate ChopChop’s Oven-Roasted recipe with one of the Siena Farms recipes—it was a…

The fifth week of the weekly Kids’ Share included some colorful produce from Siena Farms and recipes that are perfect for the family to enjoy.  This week’s share included: Red Ace Beets, Chioggia Beets, Scallions, Garlic, Boston Lettuce, Wrinkle-Crinkle Cress, and Apples. We were pleasantly surprised with this week’s…

At ChopChop, we love featuring kids who are accomplishing awesome work in the food and health world.  Recently, we talked to Mason Partak, also known as “Mason Made”, whose passion for cooking can be seen in his popular YouTube videos and impressive school-kitchen fundraising successes. Mason is 11…

  Bright red, juicy, and sweet—what’s not to love about tomatoes? We at ChopChop can’t get enough!  Check out these fun facts about the tasty treat: Because tomatoes have seeds and grow from flowering plants, they are classed as a fruit, not a vegetable! Almost all tomatoes are…

The forth week of the Kids’ Share was filled with an abundance of colorful Fall fruits and vegetables from Siena Farms! This is our third week cooking with the Kids’ Share, a weekly farm share from Siena Farms in collaboration with ChopChop that brings kids their very own fresh produce,…

This week, we received our second Siena Farms Kids’ Share and made some great corn-y recipes!  ChopChop and Siena Farms have partnered to bring families a weekly farm share for kids that includes about half a dozen vegetables, recipes, activities, and other surprises. The share for this week…

ChopChop Kids and Siena Farms have partnered for a second season to bring families a great (and fresh) edition to their kitchen—the Siena Farms Kids’ Share.  Kids no longer have to share their vegetables with their very own Kids’ Share. The weekly farm share includes about half a…

  This month’s ChopChop Cooking Club Challenge is a quesadilla. There are few things we love putting into our quesadilla more than cheese. We love cheeses like Cabot cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack, but you can really put in whatever kind of cheese is best for you.  (We…

These are our suggested 10 “rules” of picky-free parenting:  As parents, we will be good role models. We will only ask the kids to eat foods that we are willing to eat ourselves. As parents, we will decide what foods are offered, when, and where. As kids, we will…

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. We are all familiar with the alarming statistics (1 in 3 children in the United States is are overweight or obese) and the health risks associated with obesity. Here at ChopChop, we believe that cooking and eating together as a family…

  With school just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about lunch! Reusable lunch bags have become a staple in the cafeteria, not only because they are cost-effective, but also there is no waste!  One lunch bag we love is the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag.  Its cooling…

Use an empty school playground to get moving with your family. Our friends from the New Balance Foundation–sponsored organization Playworks showed us how to get active with hula hoops, hopscotch, jump ropes, four square, and more. 

We love to hear about what other like-minded organizations are up to.  Our friends at the Waltham Fields Community Farm, a non-profit farm in Waltham, MA, (which is located really close to the ChopChop office) helps to teach kids about local agriculture and food access through hands-on education. Cassie,…

Did you know kids gain 6% more weight during the summer? Buck the trend by eating healthy and finding ways to keep moving! Take our Summertime Fitness Challenge presented by the New Balance Foundation and watch yourself get more fit. Just click on the the image below and print…

Here at ChopChop we love cooking our own meals and snacks, but sometimes we want grab-and-go snacks, just like everyone else. With so many different brands, flavors, and varieties, it can be hard finding pre-packaged snacks with good-for-you ingredients. The good news is there are plenty of great…

ChopChop was transported off the pages of the magazine and into the classroom last summer and this year. The ChopChop Cooking Lab, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and taught by Chef Bill Yosses, incorporated science, math, mindfulness, and cooking skills into cooking classes at select Boys and Girls Clubs…

At ChopChop, we love “eating the rainbow”-filling our plates with as many colors as possible. We even did a whole issue dedicated to colorful foods and have created a Rainbow Sandwich. We were so excited to meet someone who loves eating colorfully as much as we do- Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author…

Salt is one of the oldest and most widely used seasonings on the planet—and saltiness is one of the very few basic human tastes. While it’s true that salt is an important ingredient in good-tasting food, too much salt has been associated with health problems, especially in people…

To help us keep an eye on healthy eating, the USDA’s MyPlate illustrates how much of each food group we should eat.  Keep this picture in mind when you’re serving yourself food, so you end up with a balanced meal.   Try this MyPlate challenge with your family….

This summer the ChopChop Bike is hitting the road giving out magazines and samples of some our favorite foods at festivals, races, parades, and more.  Our friend Joey Steinberg will be driving the bike. Joey was a model in the very first issue of the magazine and has…

Salt is one of the oldest and most widely used seasonings on the planet—and saltiness is one of the very few basic human tastes. While it’s true that salt is an important ingredient in good-tasting food, too much salt has been associated with health problems, especially in people…

By Eddie Gehman Kohan, Founder, ObamaFoodorama.com The White House Kitchen Garden is “beautiful” and “amazing,” says First Lady Michelle Obama, who started it in 2009 to teach kids about the wonders of fresh fruits and vegetables. Every year Mrs. Obama invites elementary school children from around the nation…

Spring showers may keep us from going outside, but it doesn’t mean they have to keep us from moving.  Our founding partner, New Balance Foundation, has some great ways to stay fit even if you have to stay inside.  Here are five ways to get some exercise without…

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads out there! This year Father’s Day happens to align with the first official day of summer, so there are two reasons to celebrate with a great dinner.  Tonight have kids be the chefs, with a help of an older sibling…

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  We have some easy and delicious Mexican dishes you can make with your family.  Pick your favorites and put them together for a celebratory Cinco de Mayo family dinner.  MEXICAN CORN Elote is the Spanish word for this spicy, lime-laced Mexican street-food favorite. It is…

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!   When I was younger my mom asked for two things for Mother’s Day: well behaved children and breakfast in bed. My brother and I couldn’t make any promises on the first request, but we always came through with the breakfast…

Spring has officially been here for a few weeks, and it looks like Mother Nature finally agrees that it’s time for the flowers to start blooming. After being cooped up all winter, enjoy the short-sleeve weather and spend some time eating outside, on a picnic blanket, just in time for…

Happy Memorial Day! We’re prepping for our own barbeques and want to share some of our favorite recipes that you and your family can make together for your own Memorial Day celebration.  Here are three different burgers your family can try-one made with beef, one made with beanie…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  June has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  May has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  May has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Nothing goes better with grilled cheese than tomato soup.  This Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese is sort of like a cross between tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich (the all-in-one best of both worlds!), this soup is perfect for…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  April has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

Spring has arrived and it’s time to get outside.  We’re excited to stretch our legs after a long winter and go for a nice long hike to soak up the sun.  Of course we can’t go on a long walk without a snack. We’re bringing GORP on our…

Today is the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover.  Celebrate by making matzo brei for breakfast.  Passover lasts until April 11, so you have plenty of time to make this with your family. Matzo brei is made from matzo, the unleavened bread of  Passover. Like French toast,…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  April has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

Happy April Fools Day!  Trick your family with this Tofu Scramble. It looks just like scrambled eggs and tastes just as delicious!    This scramble is a veggie-loaded stirfry of crumbled tofu with a little garlic and curry powder for flavor, and turmeric (or yellow mustard) for color. Try…

There’s a lot of music we love around the ChopChop office.  You can often find us jamming to the food-inspired tunes of Jay Mankita’s Eat Like a Rainbow CD,but this week we’re listening to something a little closer to home.  Our Creative Director, Vic DeRobertis, makes ChopChop look beautiful every…

It’s ChopChop 5th Birthday and we’re proud to have been getting kids in the kitchen for five years. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our Founding Partner New Balance Foundation. In each issue, New Balance brings our readers ways to stay active.  With warm weather…

Last week we kicked off our 5th anniversary with a birthday-themed cooking demonstration at the 5th annual Kids Food Festival in New York City’s Bryant Park. With the help of Former White House Pastry chef and  ChopChop Cooking Lab Director Bill Yosses and Gail Simmons, Food & Wine…

  At ChopChop, we love to highlight cool kids (and big kids) who are doing exciting work in the food and health world.  We recently talked to Logan Guleff, who won top prize on season two of the show Masterchef Junior.  Masterchef Junior is a kids cooking competition…

Looking for a great way to spend some family time celebrating reading?   Below, we have a list of 6 great children’s books that your family can cozy up with.  And if feasting with your eyes isn’t enough, we’ve included links for some recipes that your family can…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  March has many food holidays. We’ll be celebrating all month long and giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with us and of…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  March has many food holidays. We’ll be celebrating all month long and giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with us and of course,…

Are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?  These potatoes may not really be Irish, but we think they still count as part of the celebration.  Plus, it’s so easy to make that every member of the family can help. One of the favorite jobs for kids is…

March 10th is National Pack Your Lunch Day!  Does your family pack lunch for work or school?  Even if you don’t usually bring your own lunch, use today to test out some quick and easy recipes that are packable, delicious, and can be served cold so you don’t have…

Here are ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  March has many food holidays. We’ll be celebrating all month long and giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with us and, of…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  February has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long.  We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with…

Snowed in again? Host a movie night (or day) and do this popcorn taste test with your family!  Did you know that popcorn is a whole grain?  When you make popcorn from scratch, the old-fashioned way, it’s a natural whole-grain, high-fiber snack (with none of the gross chemicals…

This year is ChopChop’s 5th birthday, so we’re throwing a party of course. We’ll be celebrating all year long, and so should you! A cooking birthday party is one of our favorite ways to celebrate. It’s a great way to foster the love of cooking. Plus it’s fun with…

It’s ChopChop’s 5th birthday, and we’re celebrating with some birthday cake.  We know a cake that’s delicious and good for you-carrot cake! These Carrot Cupcakes use carrots for a natural sweetener so you can use less sugar.  We also have a recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting which makes the…

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food every day.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  March has many food holidays. We’ll be celebrating all month long and giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with us and of course, some recipes to try with your family! 

Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday.  We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday.  February has many food holidays and ChopChop will be celebrating all month long. We’ll be giving you ideas on ways to celebrate with us…

We had a special guest at our 5th Birthday Party.  Mrs. Obama, The First Lady of the United States joined in on the fun and celebrated with us.   This year is also the 5th birthday of Let’s Move, Mrs. Obama’s program that promotes exercise and good health for…

We’re so thrilled to have the First Lady on the cover of our spring issue. If there’s anyone who cares as much as we do about kids and health, it’s Mrs. Obama. Plus, we’re celebrating not only our shared commitment to kids, but also a shared anniversary: Five years of the White House’s Let’s Move! campaign to end childhood obesity and five years of our magazine. 

Here are ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday. We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday. January has many food holidays and with cold weather outside around most of the country, there’s even more opportunity to stay in and celebrate by…

  Here at ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday. We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday. January has many food holidays and with cold weather outside around most of the country, there’s even more opportunity to stay in and celebrate by…

It’s almost impossible to make soup without a knife! Think about foods like celery, onions, and carrots which are the base of many soups and which need to be chopped, sliced, and diced. Using a knife can be intimidating, but once your family masters knife skills you’ll all be…

Here are ChopChop, we celebrate healthy and delicious food everyday. We love when there’s even more reason to celebrate, with a wacky, fun food holiday. January has many food holidays and with cold weather outside around most of the country, there’s even more opportunity to stay in and celebrate by…

  As the cold weather in January rolls in, nothing is more inviting than a warm bowl of soup. With an endless variety of soups available, here are some tips on how to select the most nourishing recipes for you and your family! Bean-based soups are high in…

  Providing your children with fruits and vegetables doesn’t always require a trip to the farmers market or even the produce section in the grocery store. You can also consult the freezer! We love fresh, seasonal produce, but frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as healthy.  In…

Between work, school, extra-curricular activities, and the upcoming holidays, eating nutritious meals may be put on the backburner. Instead of grabbing processed, prepackaged foods loaded with unwanted chemicals and calories, plan ahead to ensure you and your family stay healthy while sticking to your to-do list. Put the “fast”…

  Food Day is a chance for everyone to come together, celebrate real food and inspire Americans to change their diets and our food policies through events, conversation and action. There are plenty of ways to get involved: attend a Food Day event, join the #FoodDayChat twitter chat,…

  We challenged Bill Yosses, Director of the ChopChop Cooking Lab and former White House pastry chef, to come up with a twist to the classic hummus. Bill rose to the challenge and created an amazing Edamame Hummus. This is a bit more complicated than a typical ChopChop recipe but…

Last week ChopChop participated in the third annual Let’s Talk About Food Festival, the only festival of it’s kind bringing together cooking demonstrations, edible gardens, speakers and conversations on food and food policy. It was a great, summer-like day with Boston’s Copley Square buzzing with all things food (and…

You can’t go into many restaurants, grocery stores, or bakeries these days without seeing a sign or menu boasting which tasty offerings are gluten-free. It seems that this dietary restriction – or requirement, in some cases – is truly taking the food world by storm. More recently, gluten…

One of my favorites things about summer is the return of the Farmers’ Markets. These markets are a great opportunity for my kids and I to explore various fruits and vegetables as well as taste local food delights. Recently we visited the Belmont Farmers’ Market and gobbled up…

  Over the years, both my kids—Ben, now 14, and Birdy, 11—have invited us many times to eat at their restaurants. Of course, when they were little, this involved a menu of toy foods from their little wooden kitchen, which could mean the “Special Sandwich” of a whole…

We have some exciting news that I’m beyond happy to share: As you probably know, Bill Yosses, aka The Crustmaster, has stepped down from his position as the White House pastry chef. This is very sad for the Obama’s (though maybe good for the President’s cholesterol) and great…

This past weekend was a nice long one with some unanticipated downtime. Time to hold an impromptu Sunday night cookout! We weren’t sure how many guests were coming; it looked like a few teenage boys might show up, along with neighbors and friends returning from the Cape, the…

Summer is a great time to teach kids to cook while honing your own cooking skills. Relaxed schedules and lots of farm-fresh produce can make cooking with kids fun and delicious. Which is exactly what Stacy Ciaravella, Business Development Director at ChopChop, has decided to do. A self-proclaimed  “really…

The end of the school year can only mean one thing – summer vacation for kids everywhere!  While enjoying endless hours of outdoor activities, kids require the right fuel to keep their bodies going during the hot summer days.  Although everyone loves eating summer treats or drinking ice-cold…

Many families will be celebrating Father’s Day this weekend, honoring dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and friends with things dads love. Sure you have your golf, cookouts, sports games, and just plain relaxing (as dads certainly deserve). Why not shake things up and surprise dad with a special food-themed…

  Providing healthy portable snacks for kids seems like an exhausting challenge for parents and caregivers. Our eyes often seek the mess-free prepackaged snack foods such as granola or energy bars. These snack bars are an ideal snack for kids on the go–whether it is for their lunches, afterschool, or…

One serving of tropically grown mango (about 1 cup) gives you all of your daily vitamin C, more than a third of your vitamin A, and 12% of your daily fiber! Plus, they contain more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. All that nutrition comes in a pretty…

I had the opportunity to attend the special ChopChop & Let’s Talk About Food advance screening of FED UP last month in Boston (now in theaters nationwide). It’s opened my eyes to many things about the food we eat. The three key things I personally took away from…

On Wednesday, April 23rd, we will be co-presenting with Let’s Talk About Food an exclusive screening of FED UP, one of the most the most talked about films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Stephanie Soechtig and produced by Katie Couric and Laurie David (An Inconvenient…

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day program encourages parents and the organizations they work for to connect with girls and boys in a family-friendly work environment. This day gives adults a chance to show kids the value of their education and…

Recently I had the pleasure of stepping out of the office and experience a kids cooking class during the winter break at the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School in Belmont, MA. The class was really fun as I found the children to be eager and willing to openly participate, and…

Before I had kids it never occurred to me to serve them different food from adults. In those days I was addicted to Caesar Salad and made it every time my friends came for dinner with their children. Without exception, they were astonished when their kids (who swore…

Sometimes kids think they don’t like a particular vegetable when in fact what they don’t like is the way it’s been cooked. Think of overcooked boiled broccoli: what could be more disgusting? And yet when roasted, broccoli is sublime.   Select one vegetable and prepare it several ways…

Dr. Ludwig uses this mediation with his clients as a way to encourage mindful eating. In his book, Ending the Food Fight, he references a study by Cornell’s Brian Wansink (a ChopChop Healthy Hero) which shows that “the amount we eat has little to do with how much…

For the past three weeks, I have been chronicling my work with Christine Zanchi and Fran Nostrame to help change the eating habits of their twin 4-year-old boys. One of the family’s assignments this week is to label the pantry and fridge items with MyPlate colors and letters. This…

I headed over to the home of Christine Zanchi and Fran Nostrame, the parents of 4-year-old twins, Andrew, described as the picky eater (but getting less so) and Nathaniel. Here’s what I brought: baby carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower and celery sticks. Dips included Parmesan Yogurt Dip, Tzatsiki, Lemony Hummus, Salsa, White Bean…

  This week we launched one of our most exciting and challenging projects to date: to help one family change the eating habits of their twin 4-year-old boys in just six weeks. With the help of ChopChop advisor Dr. David Ludwig, we want to assist them in accomplishing…

Looking for gift ideas for kids besides the must-have “doll of the year”, the latest video game console or a toy that takes way too many batteries? We’ve lovingly curated our top 10 gifts for kids that will get them excited about real food – no batteries required!…

  I don’t know about you, but when my own children were small I had very mixed feelings about how to help them become gift givers. I wanted them to be bighearted and thoughtful, but not wasteful. I wanted their gifts to mean something, but not everything. I…

Tiny Pie, by Mark Bailey and Michael Oatman is the story of little Ellie the elephant: bored, alone and instructed to stay out of the way at her parents’ grown-up party. Hungry, Ellie wanders into the kitchen to find a snack, only to discover that she is not…

  This is not your typical children’s coloring book. “Outside the Lines: An Artists’ Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations” is a collection of creative and mystical drawings by more than 100 different contemporary artists, designers, illustrators, photographers, and musicians.  From friendly monsters to scenes of exotic animals, this…

  On October 24th, we’re celebrating Food Day, a national awareness-building movement devoted to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Our mission and Food Day’s couldn’t be more closely aligned—helping people Eat Real—and this year’s focus on educating kids is, of course, right in our happy, delicious comfort zone….

  The daily grind can be just that, a grind. From packing lunches, to juggling work, helping with homework, and running the house, every mom (and dad) would love a night off to mingle, laugh and meet new friends. Last week Mommybites was able to offer just that…

  Food pouches or “squeezies” have become a lunchbox staple. Most food pouches contain fruit sauces or baby food. Parents love them because they are convenient and kids love them because they are fun and portable. And with their popularity increasing, there are more reusable food pouches available…

  We’ve been hearing from many families they are already in a lunch box packing rut. If you haven’t picked up our Fall issue, we offer loads of inspiration from back-to-school soups, salads and sandwiches. We’re also fans of The Best Lunch Box Ever, by Katie Sullivan Morford to…

  Here at ChopChop, we love a good picnic. And Sunday’s virtual community Big Picnic was no exception! We had hundreds of people “join” us and over 150 photos and links were shared on Sunday. The goal of The Big Picnic was to encourage families to cook together,…

After thirty years of crippling increases in the childhood obesity rate, last week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that between 2008 and 2011, obesity declined among low- income pre-schoolers in 19 states and US territories. Obesity strikes low-income families disproportionately so this news is especially meaningful.

Full disclosure: Mollie Katzen taught me how to cook.

Well, not exactly. She wasn’t actually in my kitchen with me: I taught myself how to cook using The Moosewood Cookbook, her best-selling vegetarian cookbook published in 1977. I had already been a vegetarian for eight years but back in those days, being a vegetarian really meant just not eating the meat portion of the dinner you were served. Or as my mother said, “You can eat around what we eat”. While I already loved to cook and cooked often by the time I got to college, my repertoire was pretty limited. Like many of my generation, Mollie’s book was a revelation to me.

It’s back-to-school – not only for school-aged kids but college students too! Readers of all ages have found ChopChop to be helpful in inspiring and teaching them to cook real food. To kick off the school year, here’s an article from Sally Sampson about three recipes every college student – in fact, everybody – should know (originally published in The Boston Globe, 2009). So put down the ramen noodles and pick up a copy of ChopChop. Your roommates will be happy you did.

It’s back to school! And we have loads of lunch recipes and tips in our new Fall issue, including some very cool lunchboxes to pack your lunches in. Keep lunchtime cool with a Gourmet Getaway Mini Lunch Tote by BUILT. Based off of their original Gourmet Getaway Lunch Tote, their “best-selling lunch tote has been resized to accommodate smaller appetites, making it perfect for kids’ lunches and carrying snacks while you run errands.” Looking for something a little more playful? Grab a Big Apple Buddies Lunch Bag or Lunch Sack. And for even more fun, keep your snacks happy in a reusable Sandwich Bag.

After many, many, MANY months of hard work, the ChopChop cookbook hits the bookshelves today! We’ve been busy here at ChopChop headquarters, getting ready for the release of CHOPCHOP: The Kids’ Guide to Cooking Real Food with Your Family. We will have lots more to share as we go…

  Although yogurt is a popular lunch and  “kids” yogurts are now glutting the market, most of them are insanely gloppy and sweet (and in fact, many have as much sugar as a soda). My family stopped eating fruit-flavored yogurt many, many years ago and instead, we add…

  I’ll confess: I’m a sucker for red kitchen appliances and utensils. So when I saw GIR’s red spatula, I loved it merely for its color and sleek design, in short, its good looks. When I took it home and made date nut bread, ricotta pie, roasted cauliflower…

This summer, ChopChop is participating in our local farmers markets. We are having a blast connecting with our readers and meeting new people to talk about the joys of cooking together as a family. We have also been making yummy dressings to share thanks to our friends at…

We love inspiring kids to get creative in and out of the kitchen. Head to your local Home Depot for some fun, free Kids Workshops. Projects include building toolboxes, mini fire trucks, mail organizers, birdhouses, and more! Geared towards 5-12 year-olds, the workshops teach kids some great DIY skills,…

  The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things to Do in Nature Before You Grow Up by Stacy Tornio and Ken Keffer is chock-full of fun outdoor games, projects, destinations, and foods. Here at ChopChop, we’re particularly found of the food options. Try a springtime smoothie, or garden…

What’s a great way to have a little extra fun while cooking? Listening to music of course! Making a playlist can help you get in the spirit of cooking, so dance around while you stir and sauté. Plus, music makes cleanup (which can sometimes seem like a chore)…

Crunchy and slightly salty, SeaSprinkles Roasted Seaweed Snacks are a great addition to any lunchbox or summer road trip. Plain and simple, their Original flavor is roasted with olive and sesame oil. They are then lightly flavored with coconut palm sugar, sea salt and sesame seeds to add…

Get your kids crazy about colors with this magnetic reward board by Goodee. Designed to make mealtimes bright, fun and healthy, the board has 6 rows, each assigned to a color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue/violet, and tan. Challenges and rewards can be structured in a variety of…

Food editor for The Associated Press J.M. Hirsch brings us “Lunch Box Blues”, his blog dedicated to chronicling his 8-year old son Parker’s lunches. Here’s an excerpt: “Because I refuse to send my son to school with a Lunchable. Or an Uncrustable. Or even a day-after-day-after-day homemade PB&J….

When I was child I always spent time with my parents in the kitchen, watching intently as my mother chopped masses of herbs for her Persian stews or my dad rolled out roti the flat-bread from his native Trinidad, my nose barely reaching the kitchen counter.

On Friday, May 3rd, ChopChop headed down to the Big Apple to attend the James Beard Foundation’s Book, Broadcast & Journalism Awards Dinner. Considered by many to be the Oscars of the food world, The James Beard Awards was held at New York’s Gotham Hall.

It can be a challenge to make fitness fun, but Flip 2B fit makes it a little bit easier. The Flip 2B Fit board game and Bakari, a memory game, incorporate fun cardio moves, strengthening exercises, yoga poses and stretches. Before players can advance in the game, they must first do five lunges or repeat cat to cow pose 10 times. Flip 2B Fit is engaging and breaks up physical activity with mental challenges. It’s the perfect game to play inside on a rainy day, for family game night, or any other time you want to get moving.

At ChopChop, we love to highlight cool kids (and big kids) who are doing exciting work in the food and health world. We talked to Amina Salat, founder and volunteer of Growing Colorado Kids , an organization that encourages Kids to garden and grow food in their own backyards. Amina also volunteers at SAME Café in Denver Colorado where everyone is served, no matter his or her economic status. People pay whatever they can afford. Amina and her family came to the US from Somalia in 2004.

Meet Cricket Azima, founder and owner of The Creative Kitchen. ChopChop was lucky enough to chat with Cricket about all the ways she’s involved in teaching kids to cook and be healthy. If you’re in the area be sure to visit her at The Kids Food Festival March 2-3 in New York City.

Reading mavens and followers of trendy fashion will love Out of Print, a clothing company that designs t-shirts with beautiful illustrations of beloved books.  Their cozy children’s t-shirts feature dozens of book covers, from the classics Charlottes Web and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to the more modern favorite Olivia. Adults can also get in on the fun with shirts displaying retro cover art of A Wrinkle in Time or The Great Gatsby. Those are just a few of the loved literary classics you can proudly sport.   

The search for a healthy and satisfying snack can be never ending, and while it’s sometimes delicious, other times it can disappoint. Luckily, the ChopChop team has been busy sampling, and we’ve found some of the best new snacks that are sure to satiate your hunger.

At ChopChop, we love to highlight cool kids (and big kids) who are doing exciting work in the food and health world. We talked to Amina Salat, founder and volunteer of Growing Colorado Kids , an organization that encourages Kids to garden and grow food in their own backyards. Amina also volunteers at SAME Café in Denver Colorado where everyone is served, no matter his or her economic status. People pay whatever they can afford. Amina and her family came to the US from Somalia in 2004.

Today is National Fast Food Day. We’ve got our own idea for dinner, instead, which is tastier and healthier. Try this “Happier Meal.”

Sam Talbot is a former contestant on the Bravo TV show Top Chef and author of a new cookbook, The Sweet Life: Diabetes without Boundaries. Sam spoke to ChopChop about his new book, living with diabetes and the work he does to help kids eat healthy! You were…