simple Archives - now & gen

Four Simple Ways to Use Less Plastic

Nowandgen Author — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 14:00:21 +0000

Happy Earth Day! Being stuck at home has been a huge reminder for me of everything nature gives us. Even when there’s a global pandemic and I’m feeling anxious and scared, getting outside makes me feel better. Sunshine, feet in the soil, fresh air—I love it all. And since we’ve had extra free time with our thoughts lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to make the world a better place for my kids. Environmental activist Wendell Berry is known for saying, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” That quote really resonates with me. Ever since I became a mother, I’ve felt a greater responsibility to be more mindful of how I’m living my life and the world I’m leaving behind for my kids. I want to do my part to protect the environment and its natural resources for future generations. One small way I’m putting the desire to be more green into practice is by using less plastic. Here are some sobering stats about plastic from National Geographic to consider: Only about 9 percent of all plastic ever made has likely been recycled 40 […]

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Fall Recipe: Pickled Apples and Pears

Heather Catania — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 16:33:13 +0000

I've been trying to limit our food waste. So, when we recently had an abundance of apples and pears that I didn’t know what to do with, I reached out to my chef friend Brock Lane for ideas. His suggestion: PICKLE them. Say what? I'd never thought to pickle fruit, but I did it and I have to say, the results were delicious and gorgeous.

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Frosted Pretzels Recipe

Heather Catania — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 15:00:23 +0000

A quick, fun, easy dessert or snack recipe that you and your kiddos will love.

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All the Lessons 2018 Taught Me

Nowandgen Author — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 18:44:53 +0000

Happy New Year! The start of a new year always makes me reflect on the last year and what a year 2018 turned out to be… My sweet daughter turned one whole year old. My eldest lost FOUR teeth and won his first medal in his first chess tournament. My middle learned to ride a bike without training wheels and began to write and read. We took the boys on their first real camping trip. I managed to carpool three kids to three different schools (do not recommend). I ran my first half marathon. Now & Gen celebrated its first anniversary and we hit one MILLION followers (holy sh*t, you guys!). It’s been a wonderful whirlwind and I think I succeeded and failed multiple times at all things. In fact, I kinda feel like I fumbled my way through most of 2018 – and not very gracefully. But that’s what it’s all about, right? We live and learn, and I definitely did a lot of learning this year… Some lessons of 2018: #1. I’m bad at saying no. I don’t want to let family or friends down so I overcommit myself. Then I end up doing too much without doing […]

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Last Minute DIY Delectables

Heather Catania — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 23:27:34 +0000

Christmas is here and we’re coming up close to crunch time. Behind on making desserts for a holiday party or creating edible gifts? It happens. There is a solution: homemade goodies. I turned to my friend Lindsey Johnson (peep her Insta, @ladyinthewildwest) who happens to be one of my favorite creative bakers, and enlisted her to help with some last minute delectables that you too can make at home. I love getting into the kitchen with my kiddos and whipping up sugary delights. (The bigger the mess, the better the time!) Here are some of my favorite edible treats that will spread some holiday cheer and ease the stress of last-minute gifting. Keep reading for the recipes! Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows and Hot Chocolate Hot chocolate served in style. These kid-friendly, no-bake treats make for festive favors at a holiday party or perfect drop gifts to neighbors. They’re quick, easy, and colorful- sure to bring smiles all around. This recipe makes 12 edible gifts You’ll need: 12 jumbo marshmallows (We used Kraft Jet-Puffed Jumbo marshmallows) 2 cups Chocolate candy melts (white or milk chocolate) Gel edible food coloring in red or green Holiday sprinkles and crushed peppermint candy 12 decorative straws or […]

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Simple’s Transition to Solids by Nicole Tubiola

Heather Catania — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 14:15:14 +0000

Hey Guys! Here’s Part Two of my dear friend Nicole Tubiola’s Guest Blog. We met during our WILDFIRE days, and she came to my rescue to help me transition Odette into the solid food phase. Nicole runs a company called Simple that prepares baby meals for busy mamas in their homes and leaves these meals in their freezers. She created this amazing video with instructions below on how to cook and prepare these important meals! Without further ado, here is our first guest blog by Nicole Tubiola. Also, be sure to follow her on Instagram for daily tips and tricks! XO, Gen The First Month of Baby Food by Nicole Tubiola As every parent knows, having a baby will give you the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The amount of love you feel astounds you and self-doubt seems to follow your every move. Whether it’s your first or 10th, each child brings a new experience and new emotions. I thought Genʼs blog on introducing Odette to solids perfectly illustrated the emotions behind all the “firsts” you have with your kiddos. Since 2009, I have owned a baby food company… I have literally cooked for hundreds of babies. Which […]

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