Blog Posts by Babble.com

Smoothies are one of my favorite treats to whip up, but what prevents me from making them on a regular basis is how long many of 'em take to make. I prefer simple smoothies - ones I can put together in two minutes max. That way, I can get my healthy-snack fix without an ounce of stress. This summer, I'm hoping to beat the heat while staying nourished with quick, satisfying recipes just like this. Sound good to you, too? Here are 7 ways to do it - each with just four ingredients or less! - Kelsey Banfield

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Yummy!The other day I needed some quick cookies so I made these delicious peanut butter cookies that are so small they are like little peanut butter bites. I added some chocolate chips to give them a chocolatey flavor and loved how they turned out. They kind of reminded me of peanut butter cups! They turned out to be the best kind of sweet nibble because they were so tiny. I only ate two and was totally happy. It was so much easier than eating two or three gigantic cookies! Consider making these sweet treats for your next get together.

Related: 10 tasty mug cakes you can make in under 10 minutes



Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch kosher salt
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:
1.

My husband travels for work on a fairly regular basis. Aside from the basic problems this poses in terms of my missing him and me being left to manage the kids solo, I also have a streak of anxiety a mile wide about being without him at night. The obvious thing would be to get an alarm system and that's on my list of things to research. Another solution would be a dog... but no, there is already enough poop in my world. Until I get a security system, I've come up with a few simple safety tips when I'm the only parent in the house overnight!

-By Rebekah Kuschmider

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Last weekend I got a sneak peek of the newest products coming from the Disney Baby family, and I walked away realizing 1) The Disney Baby + Stride Rite Minnie shoes are achingly adorable in person; 2) The new Monsters Inc. bedding is impressively high quality; and 3) DID YOU KNOW DISNEY MAKES THEIR OWN PAINTS WITH GLIDDEN? And they're awesome? If you're looking for a Disney-inspired room makeover for your baby or bigger kid, take a look at some of these awesome ideas for kids' rooms:

-By Michelle Horton

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hairless summerLooking for a hairless summer? I did some research and created a hair removal guide. Remember, I'm not a salon, spa or medical professional. Please make sure to consult one if you have any questions or concerns.

I'll just come out and admit it…I'm kind of a hairy girl. Just a little bit. I get it from my dad. My mom on the other hand is practically hairless. It's not fair, but it's life. Oh well! I deal with it like all the others-with good old fashioned hair removal.

Personally, I'm a fan of shaving, waxing, and threading. I've never gone with the laser or Electrolysis treatments. But, I've heard the stories. Writing this hair removal guide was an eye opener for me. I learned a lot about the different ways to get rid of unwanted body hair!

As you read your options below, I tried to estimate how long you could be "hair free," but we all know it depends on how fast your hair grows back. This also goes for the "painful" question and how much pain you can take.

Keep reading for the

Yankee Candle released their second collection of "Man Candles," despite last year's mixed reviews. (Can't a man dig vanilla or fresh linens?) And this year's set includes two brand new scents that are even more controversial than its predecessors. From lawn mower to movie night, these scents are sure to light his fire as only the smell of stale beer can. They may just be exactly what your man would want for Father's Day. And here's to the "BBQ Smoke," " Macho Micro-Brew" and "Poker Cigar" scents of the future. So fill your home with the scent of pure masculinity, and check out these awesome, waxy wonders. Click through for 7 man candles for Fathers Day! -By Michelle Horton

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Anne Lamott, the honest, hilarious author of many heartbreaking and hopeful non-fiction and fiction books, recently came to my city. The moment when I felt like she was speaking directly to me came when someone asked which authors she loves, what books have meant the most to her. "I was a girl who found literal salvation in chapter books," she explained. "Pippi Longstocking, Beezus and Ramona, Little Women." An audible "ahhh" rose up from the audience. As parents, we get the joy of rediscovering the books we loved as kids - and celebrities read them too. I am even more thankful to the late, brilliant Beverly Cleary for the Ramona and Henry Huggins and other series she penned now that I've re-read them all with my son. Click through for 7 celebrity book-lovers and their favorite children's books! -By Jessica Ashley

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We told you in our welcome post that health is just one of the many diverse benefits of homegrown food. There are real nutrition advantages, to be sure; organic produce has been shown to be richer in nutrients than conventional fruits and vegetables. But growing at home can also save you money and shrink your carbon footprint. It can empower your kids by fostering a strong work ethic. It can connect them to the natural world and serve as a kind of antidote to the electronic media they're plugged into so much of the time - actually helping them focus and perform better academically. Working in soil may also be the cheapest and safest anti-depressant known to man because it actually has a neuro-chemical effect on the brain similar to Prozac. (The only side effect: exposure to fresh air.) Oh, and it tastes vastly better - fresher and more flavor-rich - to eat sun-ripened food rather than the grocery store produce that's chemically ripened in warehouses. Here are 7 fact-studded,