The School Year Survival Cookbook by Laura Keogh and Ceri Marsh: With their first cookbook, How to Feed a Family, Laura and Ceri learned firsthand how challenging and overwhelming it is to juggle nutrition, time management and picky eaters, especially during the busy school year. Their latest book offers concrete advice on everything from meal planning for the week, to stocking home pantries with essential building blocks for quick and nutritious meals – and, of course, wonderful recipes to please even the pickiest palate. You'll find healthy, on-the-go breakfasts (my family loves the Blueberry Pie French Toast Muffins and Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Burritos), creative recipes and lunch combinations that are sure to keep even the choosiest kid engaged and excited about their lunch hour. My personal favourite section of the book is the “Transformers”, which contains recipes for cooking a protein once, but then transforming it into three separate meals. It’s a genius timesaver for any busy family on the go. This book has earned a place on my shelf – and will be gifted many times over for all the busy parents in my circle.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, Fall 2017.