Nothing says summer like outdoor barbeques, parties, and picnics, but it doesn’t take much for Mother Nature to rain on your parade. Keep your guests partying all day and all night with these weatherproofing tips from the August issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray to keep your next outdoor bash dry, cool, and of course fun.

Scorching Saturday?:
• Set out a sprinkler near the party so the light mist will cool the air.
• Use colorful rubber bands around glasses to prevent accidents with slippery hands.
• Place glasses of water mixed with sugar syrup to deter bees, and leave bug repellent near the party entrance.

Rain, Rain Go Away!:
• Put a rug by the entrance and a shoe rack inside the door in case of a mad dash inside.
• Buy a canopy and tough it out outside during a light shower.
• Include a rain date on the invite just in case.

Worrisome Winds?:
• Keep decoration low, and avoid balloons which can tangle.
• Anchor napkins with festive paperweights such as a seashell or a small coconut.
• Have cover-ups handy for chilly guests.

Include some rain-, heat-, and windproof part accessories like steel mesh food covers to keep bugs out of dishes, or colorful paper hand fans to cool guests off.

Visit www.RachaelRayMag.com for other summer party tips, and be sure to grab this issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray for more great summer treats.

When it comes time to feeding your baby solid foods, your initial vision might be dipping a spoon into a little jar of pureed peas, carrots or bananas. Did you know that your baby will eat about 600 of these cute little jars of baby food? And that the cost of all these jars can add up $400-$600?

If you are interested in making a HUGE dent in this baby budget line item, we recommend you make your own baby food. Now don’t laugh, roll your eyes or start trembling at the thought of cooking – most people find it surprisingly simple and quick to make baby food. Read the rest »

June officially kicks off summer, and it’s time to take the party outside!

The June/July issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray gives great tips on how to put a playful spin on a classic cookout. Read the rest »

Soups are a terrific way to introduce your toddler to vegetables and fruits. There are many types of soups. The best place to start with your toddler is with pureed soups. They have a pleasing smooth texture. If your child’s “spoon” skills are not refined enough for soup, pour it in a cup and sip away.

Pureed soups, such as cream of asparagus may sound exotic, but they are quite simple to make. Even a novice in the kitchen can be successful. A hand held immersion blender is a good appliance to invest in for making pureed soups hassle-free. This appliance is placed right into the soup pot, move it around, and viola – pureed soup!
Don’t overlook fruit soups. They are sweet, healthy and refreshing. Most fruit soups require no cooking. You simply put ingredients in a blender and whirl away. Fruits soups are a huge hit with toddlers. Read the rest »

Here are some affordable meal ideas to help you get dinner on the table each night without too much time or effort.

Casseroles
Casseroles are an all-time favorite comfort food and can be inexpensive one-dish meals. Here are two recipes that are crowd and wallet pleasers.

Classic Tuna Casserole:

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, minced
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1 can cream of celery soup
3/4 cup milk
1 5-oz. can tuna in water, drained
3 to 4 cups flat egg noodles
1/4 cup breadcrumbs Read the rest »

Feeding your 12-24 month old

Babies are introduced to solid foods at about six months old, and from this time to about 24 months old, they will learn plenty about food, and it goes well beyond taste.

First it is just swallowing solid foods, then lumps, picking up pieces, chewing (or gumming) and much more. It takes a great amount of coordination, muscle development and motor skills for your baby to master these tasks. The best approach is to take things slowly and to wait for your baby to give you signals he or she is ready. There is no need to rush this development process. Read the rest »

The American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a study of toddler age children that concluded the average toddler may need to see a new food on their plate at least 10 times before they will eat it!

Here are some tips for introducing new foods: Read the rest »