A Family That Eats Together..from foodie to kid friendly in one dish
An Interview With Mom, Business Woman, and Blogger Nicole Cibellis
Tell me about your family and your blog?
I am a mom to Nolan, my 3-year-old son, and wife to my husband and partner of 15 years. “A Family that Eats Together” was created in January 2011 when my son turned mealtime into a power struggle. I started to look for recipes online which would appeal to our whole family, so that I was only making one meal for dinner, but couldn’t find recipes that would suit us. We don’t want to eat kid food and we wanted him to eat whole, seasonal foods that would expand his palette. That is when “A Family that Eats Together” was born. Each week, I create a meal planner and four to five recipes for both adults and kids. I make adult meals kid friendly with just a few tweaks.
You also own your own clothing company, Little Froglet? Can you tell us more about it?
Little Froglet has been a project of mine since 2009 when I was laid off from my job, just after coming back from maternity leave. Not knowing what would happen with the job market, and having 10 years of experience in product development, buying and sourcing, I felt it was time to create a company of my own. On a cold day at the playground, my friends and I realized that our kids needed more functional jackets. They didn’t want to wear gloves or hats and that is when Little Froglet and our Ultimate Year ‘Round Jacket was born. Our Ultimate Year ‘Round Jacket features: extra thick, cozy, cotton fleece, hidden thumb holes for dexterity during play, and a hood that won’t fly off in the wind.
What is one thing about you or your family that not many people know?
I won a tanning contest in the early nineties. That was before it was hip to wear sunscreen.
What is your biggest challenge being a mom?
My biggest challenge is making enough time for everything I do. I am not only the owner of “A Family that Eats Together” and Little Froglet, but I am on the board of my son’s school, treasurer of my mother’s club, mom, wife, and not to mention “jack of all trades.”
What do you use coupons and special offers for when you shop?
I use the discounted shopping sites like Juice in the City and Groupon. Sometimes my mom cuts coupons for me and I use those but I seem to always forget to do it myself.
What are your top 10 tips for moms?
1. Create a meal plan each week to save you time and money.
2. Eat as a family as much as possible and don’t watch TV, answer the phone, or do emails while eating with your family.
3. Cook with your children. Get them involved in the process of preparing your meals.
4. Let your children know that you will always be there to support them.
5. Teach your children about nature (camp, take hikes, bug collect – teach them to care about your community and our planet).
6. Be consistent when disciplining your child.
7. Be active in your child’s education.
8. Have dates with your husband doing the fun things you used to enjoy prior to having kids.
9. Make time for yourself each week.
10. Be patient. Good things come to those who wait.
What are your favorite brands and where do you buy them?
Lululemon (online and in the mall) – my favorite store, hands down. They have toys for your kids to play with while you shop and it is essential mom gear that looks great on. Plus, they alter clothes for those of us you never fit a size quite right.
Anthropologie – (online and in the mall) – I love that I can find cute pieces to wear with my basics.
In addition to your blog, where else can moms find more information on kid friendly meals?
I recommend Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution –I support and believe that we need to change the way our kids eat and what we serve them at schools.
Little Froglet (Real Clothes for Real Kids)
Shop: http://www.littlefroglet.com
Email: Nicole@littlefroglet.com
Like Us: http://www.facebook.com/littlefroglet
Follow: http://www.twitter.com/@littlefrogletkd
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/LittleFrogletKids
“A Family That Eats Together”… from foodie to kid friendly in one dish
Recipes:www.afamilythateatstogether.com
Email: afamilythateatstogether@gmail.com
Like Us: http://www.facebook.com/afamilythateatstogether
Follow: http://www.twitter.com/@afmlyeats2gthr
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