Sometimes it can be hard to find something to eat that is healthy, delicious, satisfying and easy. But I have found this manna. It’s called Hummus. I know, I know, who cares, hummus schmummus. What’s the big deal? But let me tell you that this recipe will revolutionize your hummus eating. My daughter loves it and wants it in her lunch box every day and my husband is very happy to have a few crackers slathered with it when he gets home from work in that weird time before dinner is ready when everyone is prowling around the kitchen like a bloodthirsty vampire (Ok, so I’m reading Twilight, I confess!).

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We’ve all said it. Everything in moderation. In fact, it’s my motto. (And mantra when I’m craving… ahem… a 3rd piece of cake!) But, for me and my young kids, moderation does not include processed foods or, for now, candy bars. My oldest is just three and I see no reason why he needs a Snickers. (As tasty as they are.) But that doesn’t mean we don’t indulge!

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Who doesn’t melt at the sight of a sauce-covered toddler working hard to feed herself? Me. That’s who. At least when the blood bath happens on my turf. At someone else’s table? ADORABLE!

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I cut up the most delicious cantaloupe I've had in ages this morning. My 3-year-old and I enjoyed wedges straight from the cutting board while I threw chunks into my trusty Beaba Babycook with a few leaves of fresh mint for my 6-month-old.

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Drum roll please...BOTH! Watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable. It is a fruit because it grows from a seed, it has a sweet flavor and refreshing qualities. It is a vegetable because it is harvested and cleared from the field like other vegetables and because it is a member of the same family as the cucumbers, pumpkin and squash. In fact, in 2007 watermelon became Oklahoma's official state vegetable. Either way you think about it, watermelon is very healthy for you. This veggie disguised as a fruit is rich in Vitamin C, which is important for wound healing, healthy gums and teeth. Also high in Vitamin A, this veggie-fruit will help your body make cells that fight infections. Did you know that watermelon is 90% water? Besides its health benefits the watermelon is also a thirst quenching food and completely delicious. Try this fun recipe for ice pops at home! Watermelon Ice PopsWatermelonChunks of Fresh Fruittry grapes, strawberries, blueberries or anything you have in the refrigerator Puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor and pour it into Popsicle molds. Drop in your favorite chucks of fresh fruit, and freeze! For an even easier recipe, free the watermelon puree in ice cube trays and add it to your favorite beverage of choice for a sweet treat. -Jessi Walter, cupcakekids.com

I'm in a summer state of mind and that means ice cream, popsicles, stone fruit paired with fresh herbs and CHERRIES! Cherries make me incredibly happy. Not only are they divine fresh and completely unadorned, but they are also delectable in my favorite desserts: pies, crumbles and crisps (like this Cinnamon Cardamom Cherry Crisp... DROOL.) But, alas, for now, I'm trying to avoid such desserts. And so I almost avoided cherries all together. Seriously. Using cherries to make something buttery, cinnamony and cakey is that tempting. But, then, of course, I thought better of it.

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On days when I have leftovers in the fridge or we have dinner plans I don’t need to use my daughter’s afternoon naptime to prepare dinner. So, instead, I use the time to bake some of our favorite treats like cookies, no-knead bread and this, a true household staple, banana bread. In my household banana bread is the ultimate comfort food. We eat it year-round and I always have a stockpile of bananas in our freezer whenever I feel the need to whip up a loaf. Which is about once a week.

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If I’m ever asked to make dessert on short notice (and this happens more often than you’d think!), I immediately bypass any thought of making cookies, and go right to cake. Even if you’re not rolling cookie dough out, dropping spoonfuls of dough on to the sheet just takes so much time. So this cinnamon loaf cake is simple, quick and super delicious.

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These upgraded power bars are a big hit in our house. When my four-year-old taste testers sunk their teeth into the warm, gooey goodness, they exclaimed, "it's better than birthday cake!" Success! They taste like dessert but are great for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack as they also pack a nutritional punch.

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With school days comes snack time. This new bread recipe has become a favorite of ours because it is a welcome break from banana bread. It is so easy to make and the flavor is unique and fun for kids. I've been making it with the rhubarb I froze last summer, but you can still find rhubarb around and use that. If you don't have rhubarb try adding in different chunks of sliced fruit to make your own new snack bread!

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