Penne pasta got its name from its unique shape. The word penne comes from the Italian penne, which means feather, derived from the Latin penna, which means feather or quill. Indeed, the pasta was believed to resemble the shape of the steel nibs of old-fashioned fountain pens. Pasta maker Giovanni Battista Capurro from Genoa was… Read More
Articles
Tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a base in a variety of recipes. From zesty Italian pasta sauce to spiced Moroccan tomato dishes, the possibilities to create a flavorful and healthy meal for your family are endless. With so many options on the market it may be difficult to find… Read More
If you happen to be anything like the team members here at Creative Family Moments, a good cup of coffee in the morning is likely item number one on your daily list of non-negotiables. While we might be willing to lower our standards a little when it comes to breakfast fare, office snacks, lunchtime sandwiches,… Read More
When it comes to snacking, pretzels remain a popular choice. These little goodies are made from dough shaped into a knot or a stick, then baked until crisp and seasoned with salt or other flavors like cheese, chocolate, honey, or cinnamon. Where did pretzels come from in the first place? Historians aren’t sure, as there… Read More
A favorite of kids and adults alike, there’s just something special about a glass of creamy, cool, rich chocolate milk. There are a ton of tasty chocolate milk options out there, even for those who are dairy free or vegan. We’ve found some of the tastiest shelf stable chocolate milk options for you to stock… Read More
Whether you’re looking for a healthy after-school snack for the kids, something to help you avoid those post-dinner potato-chip binges, or a crunchy complement to the soft and savory offerings on your cheese platters and appetizer tables, there are few better options out there than the humble cracker. But, despite their simplicity, the difference between… Read More
There’s nothing like enjoying a piece of smooth, rich chocolate. And while chocolate comes in a variety of styles, the simple chocolate bar is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to indulge in this decedent dessert. Whether you’re a dark chocolate fan or solidly in the milk chocolate zone, we’ve found some of… Read More
True coffee connoisseurs know that filling their cup with the best tasting coffee requires more than simply selecting the best bean—the way in which you make that coffee, alas, also has a significant impact on the quality of the final product. In recent years, “third wave” coffee lovers have discovered that one of the best… Read More
Oyster crackers add the perfect amount of crunch to soups, chowders, and chilis. The toasted, crispy texture is the perfect complement to a warm bowl of food, and oyster crackers are often served alongside these dishes at restaurants and at home. We reviewed dozens of oyster crackers to identify the best of the best. We… Read More
While some people prefer chocolate bars, others love the mix of flavors and the convenient size that you get with chocolate candy. And candy makers have risen to the occasion pairing chocolate with all kinds of delicious flavors in these bite size pieces. From mint to caramel to peanut butter, we’ve found some of the… Read More
Having a car seat for your infant and toddler is a must; that much goes without saying. When your child outgrows his infant car seat, though, there is still plenty of years before he’ll fit safely into the seat belt that comes standard in your car. If your infant car seat has a weight limit,… Read More
While the vacuum market may be much more varied than it once was, there’s a reason that the first popular home vacuums were upright vacuums: They’re so easy to use! You’ll walk along with an upright and the length of the power cords have a typical standard that will allow you to vacuum from room to… Read More
Chances are good that each year, you spend some time choosing the health insurance plan that will work best for your family. Many pet owners also maintain pet insurance for their four-legged family members. Pet insurance can make it less financially stressful to care for your pet in the event of an injury, accident, or… Read More
Even before 2020, having food delivered was a convenience that many families enjoyed. Now, many see it as a necessity. You can have produce, meat, and prepared meals show up on your doorstep on a weekly or monthly basis, making your life easier. Did you know that you can do the same for your dog?… Read More
Does the thought, “Are my kids safe online?” ever cross your mind? As a parent, it’s completely normal to have concerns about cybersecurity. After all, kids are spending an increasing amount of time online. According to The Center for Parenting Education, kids and teens spend an estimated 44.5 hours each week in front of digital… Read More
Do you wonder how you ever lived without your smartwatch? If your answer is “yes,” it makes sense that you’re now considering buying one for your kids. Needless to say, a standard smartwatch won’t do—you’ll need to give them an age-appropriate one that actually fits them. This is where smartwatches for kids come in. They’re… Read More
Whether you’re looking to upgrade, replace, or buy your first set of measuring cups, you won’t want to do so blindly. A quality measuring cup will have you set for every recipe you know and the potential more difficult ones you’re going to come across. But if you’re stuck on what type best suits your… Read More
If you have a fitness tracker, chances are your kids are going to want one too. However, buying an adult fitness tracker for younger kids may not make much sense. To start with, an adult wearable may be too complicated for kids to understand and master. It also might not properly fit their small wrists…. Read More
If you’re interested in making your morning juice the freshest, and highest quality you can manage, then you will definitely want to consider picking up a citrus juicer. There are quite a few types of a citrus juicer and the range of quality, just as with nearly any popular product, is vast. If you’re not… Read More
The busier you get the more in need you are of a multi-cooker in the kitchen. Not only will it open up your meal options, but it will also make each time you prepare food easier than you’ve ever imagined. For those of us who don’t want to, or can’t afford to, do a drive-thru… Read More
Some people find doing the dishes by hand meditative and some would rather tackle almost any other chore. Whatever your thoughts on the matter, you’ll need a dish rack to hold your clean dishes and allow them space to dry naturally. The right dish rack will make the task easier, so it doesn’t seem like… Read More
Sewing is sometimes seen as a lost art, but whether you sew your own clothing, make quilts for decoration or functional use, or simply need a way to hem pants and fix seams, a sewing machine can be a helpful appliance to have in your household. There are several types of sewing machines, and you… Read More
Are you looking for a no-fuss way to help you and your family have more restful nights of sleep? A white noise machine could be precisely what you’ve been searching for. White noise machines are devices that are designed to aid sleep by masking household, environmental, and other noises that may disturb sleep. They do… Read More
Bike thieves never tire of coming up with new and inventive ways to deprive us of our rides. Thankfully, however, bike lock manufacturers are doing their very best to keep up, rolling out increasingly crack-resistant, cut-resistant, and tougher locks that are capable of deterring and thwarting even the most determined would-be robbers of our rides…. Read More
Ironing might not be everybody’s favorite chore, but it’s one of those tasks that have to get done, and to tackle it properly, you’ll need an ironing board. With newer fabrics, and washer and dryer technologies, not every garment you own needs ironing, but there are still clothes that you can’t get away with leaving… Read More
Access to technology has become increasingly essential for education, even for kids as young as elementary schoolers. And, of course, there’s recreational value as well. But for parents who didn’t grow up in this digital climate, it can be tough to determine what your kids actually need and even tougher to figure out how to… Read More
As a mom, you’re probably familiar with the benefits of breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that it protects against a variety of diseases and conditions in infants including respiratory tract infections, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and childhood overweight and obesity. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services adds that… Read More
Though the adage suggests that peaceful and deep sleep is “sleeping like a baby,” any parent knows that nothing sleeps as poorly as a baby! You can expect your baby to get up throughout the night and that means you need to be prepared. A baby monitor will allow you to keep an ear out… Read More
For those who spend their days at their desk, then a standing desk is definitely something worth considering. You probably already know that standing 8 hours a day, 5 days a week isn’t ideal for your body’s fitness. While you should take the time to get a bit of exercise in, there just never seems… Read More
For most anyone who spends regular time in the kitchen, a food processor is a staple item. Sometimes more complicated recipes will require them, but more often, a food processor will make a typical recipe incredibly easy. You’ll be able to spend your time doing the parts you love, and less time stressing uniform chops… Read More
One of the necessities in your family’s home and maintenance items is laundry detergent. If you’re not sure what kind of laundry detergent is best for your home, though, you may want to take a closer look at the types and the results in relation to your needs. If you have a soccer player who… Read More
Some days it seems like every time you turn around there’s another mess to clean up. The more messes, and the more spread out, the better a handheld vacuum will fit into your life. While you won’t get the same suction of an upright or canister – you may be surprised at how effective the… Read More
When you or someone you love needs to sleep while the sun is up, darkening the room goes a long way to providing better rest. Standard curtains may help a little bit, but blackout curtains are specially designed to block out the sunlight and UV rays. The fabric used to create these curtains also helps… Read More
Ahhh… a good night’s rest. If you’re not already experiencing good sleep, it might be time to rethink your bed and pillow. What you sleep on and what you rest your head on effect the quality of your zzz’s. Choose a pillow based on your sleep position to optimize your rest. Using a pillow designed… Read More
Whether you prefer to sport a beard, flash a ‘stache, or be clean shaven, you need a shaver or razor to do the job. What type of shaver or razor you choose depends on your preference and grooming needs. Electric shavers and razors for men are available in a wide variety of styles, from basic… Read More
Nitric oxide supplements usually include L-arginine and L-citrulline, amino acids found in meat, nuts, legumes, fish, poultry, and even watermelon. Scientists believe nitric oxide helps your body relax and widen blood vessels to promote blood flow throughout the body. People take nitric oxide supplements for various reasons, from improving athletic performance and faster muscle recovery… Read More
Enjoy fresh food longer when you use a vacuum sealer. Unlike other storage options, such as a plastic bowl and lid, zipper baggie, or aluminum foil, a vacuum-sealed bag or container will keep food fresher longer due to the lack of oxygen. Foods retain quality and nutrients, and you have less food waste. We looked… Read More
Losing weight is difficult, and sometimes you just need that little extra push. When used properly, weight loss supplements or diet pills may be a tool that can help women lose weight. Weight loss pills are typically made from one or more ingredients that may help decrease your appetite, increase burning fat, or reduce fat… Read More
You don’t have tons of time to work out, so when you do you want to make it count. But sometime, even if you go hard, you don’t see great results. You can change it up with new exercises and harder workouts. But you can also do something easier and very effective: take a pre-workout… Read More
For those who don’t enjoy meal prep and planning, meal kit delivery services can be a lifesaver. The ability to have fresh ingredients and meals delivered directly to your door with no grocery store runs or complicated menu planning saves hours for busy families. And with the growing trend of meal kit delivery, you can… Read More
There’s a lot of great food out there, and we want to eat it – right? Everything is fine in moderation but what happens when you fall into the trap of feeling hungry when you shouldn’t be? We’ve all faced this situation more than a few times and it’s frustrating when you want to eat… Read More
We all know how hard losing weight can be. Even if you’re dieting and exercising like you’re supposed to, those stubborn pounds can be hard to lose. Luckily, fat burners may give you that little extra push you need to get down to a healthy weight. There are many different fat burners available on the… Read More
When is it time to get your child that laptop? It’s a question many parents wrestle with at some point in their child’s life, but lately, it’s become even more pressing. With most schools closed because of COVID-19 and kids forced to take classes online, having a laptop has gone from being a nice to… Read More
Are you tired right now? Are you always tired? Believe it or not, you do NOT have to be tired all the time! In fact, you shouldn’t be tired all the time. There are plenty of things you can do to boost your energy. We put together a list of 14 ways you can feel… Read More
Looking for a projector that will bring the big-screen experience into your home? Consider investing in a 4K projector. As their name suggests, 4K projectors display stunning ultra high definition (UHD) 4K content. This means that you get excellent picture quality with sharper images and more vivid colors. We researched dozens of 4K projectors to… Read More
Mixing, kneading, whipping—a great stand mixer can do it all, so you can give your arms a rest and take your cooking and baking up a notch. Whether you’re whipping up a fluffy meringue, mixing together a large batch of cookies, or kneading a heavy bread dough, a stand mixer can help you tackle it… Read More
Over-the-counter pain medications are helpful for mild to moderate pain. They’re safe, easy to administer, and can be used to relieve minor ailments, including headaches, muscle aches, and fever. Pain medications may be taken orally or applied topically to the skin. They are also available in a range of different strengths and formulas. We researched… Read More
If you enjoy making large roasts like a hefty pork roast, whole chicken, duck, or turkey on a regular basis, a roasting pan can be a smart addition to your kitchen. Featuring tall walls and commonly made from sturdy materials like stainless steel, a roasting pan is an oven-safe pan that can withstand high temperatures… Read More
Electric kettles offer a quick and easy way to get in your morning brew of coffee or tea without using a stove or having to drink from a scalding cup or mug after heating your water in the microwave. While other most popular brewing option—the stovetop kettle—may add a little bit of retro flair to… Read More
Want to make feasts fit for your favorite fried-food restaurant in your own kitchen? Once upon a time, such an ambition was a bit of a pipe dream or, at least, only achievable with a lot of mess hassle that made anyone attempting it question whether or not the final product was worth all the… Read More
