“Sometimes the Pain of Cooking is Coming Up With an Idea”

“I FEEL LIKE because so many of us have the same issues—we’re probably not eating as well as we could. We may want to drop a couple pounds, we’re all busy working and cooking three meals a day. Even if you like to cook, it kind of blows sometimes. Let’s be honest. And you just get tired of coming up with it day after day after day. Then, on top of that, the idea of adding in, ‘Well [food] it’s got to be healthy, and it’s got to be well-balanced, and last week this food was bad for me, and this week it’s not, and I just don’t even know what to do.’ And the Cooking Light Diet… it just clicks for us. It’s easy, it’s delicious, we’ve never felt deprived, which was so important to me because nobody is going to stick with something that makes them feel unhappy and hungry and, ‘Yay, I’m looking forward to my cabbage soup and lemon-and-cayenne drink tonight!’ It’s just not going to work.”

Jennifer and Dan Owen

So sayeth Montana resident Jennifer Owen about her experience using the Cooking Light Diet. Like a lot of our community members, Jennifer felt the switch to a healthier meal plan focused on cooking your own meals was a bit daunting. But she said it had to happen for several reasons.

“I knew that, for budget, we needed to be meal planning, and I was just so intimidated by it I didn’t even know where to start,” Jennifer said. “…[But] At the end of the day, if you don’t already have some kind of idea when you get home from work and you’re tired and you just want to eat, it can be really easy to call Domino’s.”

Instead of calling out for pizza, Jennifer and her husband, Dan, started the CLDiet. While she says initially there was a bit of sticker shock at the grocery because of the amount of food they were buying in order to cook the majority of their meals, it’s ending up costing them less money long-term because they aren’t calling Domino’s or dining out nearly as much. And now that they’re used to cooking delicious meals at home, they want to keep going.

“…Once you start doing it, you kind of just want to keep doing it,” Jennifer said. “It’s just eating better. It’s having somebody help you eat better, because sometimes it’s really overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, and what you guys have put together—for me, at least—makes sense. It’s about reasonable portions and a variety of foods, and that’s exactly what I want. So we’ve just been really happy with it.”

“I’ll tell you my absolute favorite lunch I’ve ever had are the Thai Chicken Rollups. I can’t stop eating those. I love them.”

Jennifer’s also happy with the structure and inspiration that the CLDiet has brought into their kitchen each morning. Gone are those early hours spent not knowing what to do about breakfast or lunch.

“Before you go to work, you do your thing, and at the end of the day you have no idea what you’re doing,” Jennifer said. “You may go in the fridge and see lots of groceries, but you’re missing a handful of things and you get stuck doing that. And one of the things is, with the planning [of the Cooking Light Diet], now I get up and make those meals, whereas before I’d get up and stare at the pan and I’d have no idea what to make for breakfast. And it would be a waste of time in the morning, or I’d end up eating out at lunch. So the planning, the meals laid out, gives me those kind of ‘time marks’ throughout the day, so that I know that I need this much time to cook a meal, and I’m ready for that. It just helps me pace myself.”

Anything that we can do to help our community members makes us happy, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your story.

_____

If you’d like to know more about the Cooking Light Diet, visit CookingLightDiet.com, or email us at feedback@cookinglightdiet.com. We’d love to hear from you! Have a great week.

*Members following the Cooking Light Diet, on average, lose more than half a pound per week.

Keep Reading:

• 4 Ways to Spring Clean Your Eating Habits with the Cooking Light Diet
• Cooking Light Diet Community: Strength in Numbers
• 5 Assumptions You Might Make About Dieting–And Why They’re Wrong

 

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Cakes to Make for Mom This Mother’s Day

Baking a cake is one of the sweetest ways to show Mom just how special she is. It’s a meaningful gesture because you’ve spent time creating something with care and love from your own hands. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice, there’s a cake you can make that will leave Mom impressed, proud, and touched with your thoughtfulness.

Fresh Coconut Cake

Build a beautiful three-layer coconut cake iced with a homemade marshmallow-y frosting and adorned with big flakes of toasted coconut. Showstopper!

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Bake the cake layers a few days ahead of time. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer. You’ll have half the work done when it’s time to assemble. Another bonus: trimming cold cake layers is a much easier and neater job than ones that are just baked or at room temperature.

Orange Cardamom Cake

If you ‘re more of a one-bowl-one-pan kind of cake baker, stir up the batter for this aromatic Orange Cardamom Cake. The dramatic drips come from the simplest of citrus glazes. (And extra points for choosing a cake that has the word “mom” in it.)

PRESENTATION TIP: Glaze the cake once you’ve placed it on the serving plate or cake stand for really pretty pools of the glaze at the bottom of the cake.

Yellow Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Can’t decide between giving Mom flowers or cake? Do both: Spread a simple yellow sheet cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting, then top it with some pretty edible flowers.

FLAVOR TIP: Add a tablespoon of raspberry, hazelnut, or coffee liqueur to the frosting in place of some of the milk for a twist on the typical icing.

Semolina Almond Orange Cake

A loaf pan cake can seem pretty darn special if it gets soaked in a orange-flavored syrup and then topped with pretty cutouts of orange rind.

Gluten-Free Strawberry-Almond Cake Roll

If mom is gluten-free, no worries. Roll up some berries in a delicate sheet cake made with almond meal and rice flour. This one is quick enough you can do it somewhat last minute. Set aside about hour to get it done.

HOW-TO TIP: This is a twist on a classic jelly roll cake. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roll up this unique cake option.

Balsamic Strawberries over Angel Food Cake

So you are NOT a baker? That’s okay! You can still serve this version of cake and strawberries. Let the bakery take care of the cake. Your job: marinate strawberries in balsamic vinegar and sugar to make a sweet-tangy sauce to spoon over angel food cake.

DIY TIP: Feeling like you want to make your angel food cake from scratch? Bake it up! Make sure to cleanly separate your egg whites—even the finest bit of yolk will prevent them from whipping into stiff peaks. And make sure you plan enough time for the baked cake to completely cool (while inverted).

Individual Chocolate Soufflés

For some just Mom-and-me time, make hot chocolate cakes for 2. These little cakes take only about 15 minutes to put together and 20 more to bake, so they’re a perfect finish for a special Mother’s Day meal.

PREP TIP: To serve these after dinner, measure out all the ingredients beforehand and prepare the ramekins. Set the oven to preheat right when you sit down to eat that way your only job will be to mix up the batter after dinner is over.

More Mother’s Day Ideas:

• The Most Valuable Kitchen Wisdom Mom Ever Gave Us
• Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 20 Gifts for Moms Who Love Food
• The Best Make-Ahead Mother’s Day Breakfast

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Obsessed with Korean: The Drinks

As a country, we seem to be quite smitten with Korean food—and for good reason. It’s anything but subtle, boasting intense flavors ranging from fiery to potently garlicky to fermenty-funky to salty-sweet … or some glorious combination of all the above. Here, an exploration of some of the defining dishes from this burgeoning cuisine. 

That’s me raising a toast with Soju, a traditional Korean distilled rice liquor, at Cheers, a Korean fried chicken restaurant in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Lauryn Ishak.

If you want to have an authentic Korean dining experience, you really should prepare yourself for having some drinks. When I spent some time in Korea, that was something that surprised me a bit: As much as Koreans love to eat (and they really do), they have a powerful thirst for booze. I saw this play out over and over, on every random weeknight as well as, say, a more celebratory Saturday.

The most prevalent drink of choice was soju, a rice-based spirit with the alcohol content of strong sake and the flavor of a slightly sweet vodka. It comes to restaurant tables quickly, usually in small green bottles, and is consumed neat. It’s fantastic, and you definitely feel it that night … and the next day. In the U.S., you can find soju at many Asian markets; it’s worth a try, for sure, especially if you’re hosting a Korean dinner party.

What I was more enchanted by in Korea, though, was makgeolli, a milky-cloudy rice beer with a hint of sweetness and tang, and a slight effervescence (that comes from fermentation). In Korea, it was always served out of a ceramic tureen, with a ladle or scoop and little bowls from which to drink it. The effect is certainly more gentle than soju, and the communal pour is rather charming. And, surprisingly, it pairs beautifully with Korean food. You might find makgeolli at some Korean restaurants, or bottled makgeolli online or at Korean markets; the bottled stuff isn’t as good as fresh home-brew, but it’ll give you a nice taste. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Makgeolli, served at a restaurant in Seoul, South Korea

Aside from the booze, there is the roasted barley tea that you see everywhere. This drink is nutty, earthy, and delicious, and you’ll find it served hot or cold.  I’ve found a way to make it easily at home; it’s basically the cooking liquid you might otherwise discard after cooking barley. Try this recipe, from my book Everyday Whole Grains.

KOREAN ROASTED BARLEY TEA
Hands-on: 11 min. Total: 41 min.

This is a common Korean drink called bori cha, often served hot at the table or as a surprisingly refreshing chilled beverage. I think of it as a happy byproduct of something I’m already making—because it’s the cooking liquid most people discard. In Korean markets, you’ll find packages of pre-toasted, browned barley, but it’s easy to just toast it yourself.

1 cup uncooked whole-grain hulled barley
8 cups water

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add barley to pan; cook 10 minutes or until evenly toasty-brown and fragrant, stirring frequently. Add 8 cups water to pan. Increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes, uncovered. Strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a heatproof pitcher.*(*see note) Serve hot, or allow to cool to room temperature and chill.

SERVES 6 (serving size: 1/2 cup)
CALORIES 8; FAT 0.1g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); PROTEIN 0g; CARB 2g; FIBER 0g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 0mg; SODIUM 0mg; CALC 1mg

* Note: The barley likely won’t be done at this point, but you can return it to the pan, cover with fresh water, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or so or until tender, then use in recipes.

Keep Reading for More Korean Inspiration:

• The Dumplings
• The Soups and Stews
• The Barbecue
• The Noodles
• The Rice Cakes
• The Banchan

 

 

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The Most Valuable Kitchen Wisdom Mom Ever Gave Us

Illustration: Kate Sutton

As we countdown to Mother’s Day, I asked our editors and staff to reflect on the best kitchen wisdom they ever received from their moms. The stories are quiet touching and often hilarious. I gathered a few of the best here. In the comments, tell us the most valuable kitchen wisdom your mom ever shared with you.

“If you eat your cake batter, you won’t have enough for the pan.” — Cheryl Slocum, Senior Food Editor

“Invest in great equipment. I still use one of the Dansk pots she got in college, and she’s used the same Le Creuset Dutch oven every day for years.” — Hannah Klinger, Associate Food Editor

“Such a funny nitpicky little thing, but I love it. For safety, you should always make sure the handle of your skillet is turned to the side, so it’s not sticking out where you can bump it as you’re moving about the kitchen. Whenever I see someone doing this (cooking with the handle poking out), it drives me absolutely insane.” — Ann Taylor Pittman, Executive Food Editor

Matthew and his mom, Liz Moore

“Don’t touch the stove.” — Matthew Moore, Cooking Light Diet Community Manager

“You have to TEACH kids how to cook. Yes, they might pick up certain tricks just by being there and participating, but you have to explain to them what is going on and why you do certain things. Even as simple a thing as what boiling water looks like is something we adults take for granted.” — Sheri Wilson, Managing Editor

“‘Have fun.’ When I was growing up, my mom always injected fun into dinner. She taught my brother, sister, and me to roll our own egg rolls. And her master recipe was waffles for dinner with ham and cheese. The ham would crisp up in the waffle iron and the cheddar would go all melty as the batter cooked.” — Hunter Lewis, Editor

“My mom’s Filipino so I’ve always been told I can make anything taste good by starting with a basic gisa – onions, garlic and tomatoes sautéed in oil (or, even better, in bacon/pork with a little fat).” — Claire Fitz-Patrick, Digital Marketing Director

“Order in.” — Karen Cattan, Digital Marketing Art Director

“My mom served a home-cooked meal to a family of 10 (yes, I’m one of 8 children) every. single. night. I don’t know how she did it! One thing she always told me was that presentation is everything. She may not have made everything from scratch (with all the extra time on her hands….), but I never once saw a plastic container or package on the dinner table. For a taco bar, loaded baked potatoes, or build-your-own pizza night, all the toppings were set out in individual bowls. It’s the little details that make a big difference.” — Emma Crist, Assistant Editor, MyRecipes.com

Keep Reading:

• Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 20 Gifts for Moms Who Love to Cook and Eat
• The Best Make-Ahead Mother’s Day Breakfast Idea
• Mother’s Day Brunch Menus

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Instead of Sushi Burgers, Make Sushi Sliders!

We did it. We fully admit it. We went there: the Sushi Burger. In this case, we’ve got Sushi Sliders. Brown rice “buns,” marinated tofu, and gochujang mayo make these little sushi sliders the cutest thing brown rice has ever made. Try your favorite marinade on the tofu, or opt for simple soy sauce!

Brown Rice Sushi Slider with Teriyaki Tofu

4 ounces extra-firm tofu, with water pressed out
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon teriyaki marinade
1/4 cup matchstick carrots
1/4 cup peeled, diced cucumber
2 teaspoons unseasoned rice vinegar, divided
1/2 teaspoon furikake (Japanese rice seasoning blend)
1/2 cup brown sushi rice
1 teaspoon canola mayo
1 teaspoon gochujang, or other preferred Asian hot sauce

1. Cut tofu into 8 (eight) 1/2-inch slices. Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear tofu, brushing with teriyaki while cooking. Cook sushi rice to package directions.

2. While the tofu cooks: In a small bowl, marinate carrots and cucumber in rice vinegar and furikake. Let sit for 10 minutes and reserve 1 teaspoon rice vinegar mixture, discarding remaining.

3. Toss sushi rice with 1 teaspoon rice vinegar mixture. Form sushi rice into 8 flattened circles. 

4. Mix together mayo and gochujang. Spread one side of rice “bun” with 1/2 teaspoon mayo mixture, 2 tofu slices, and marinated vegetables. Top with remaining bun half. Repeat with remaining ingredients to create 4 sliders.

SERVES 2 (serving size: 2 sliders)
CALORIES 151; FAT 5.8g (sat 0.9g, mono 1.7g, poly 2.9g); PROTEIN 7g; CARB 17g; FIBER 2g; SUGARS 2g (est. added sugars 1g); CHOL 0mg; IRON 1mg; SODIUM 203mg; CALC 52mg

More Sushi Recipes:

• DIY Whole-Grain Sushi
• Avocado Sushi Snacks
• Muffin Tin Ahi Sushi Cups
• Spicy Salmon Sushi Bowl

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5 New Margarita Recipes Sure to Shake Up Your Cinco de Mayo Party

While tacos may be the main focus of Cinco de Mayo parties, no one should forget what really matters: margaritas. Don’t just stick with lime or strawberry—there’s a world of flavors that blend well with tequila.

When it comes to choosing the tequila for your drinks, you have two great options:

– Silver tequila is a purer form that is distilled from blue agave plants. It is un-aged and additive free. Silver is a good go-to choice for mixed drinks.
– Añejo tequila is aged in oak casks for 1 to 3 years and is a smooth sipping liquor that brings an extra depth to mixed cocktails.

Perfect for a brunch, this Cantaloupe Margarita with a Hint of Mint can replace (and possibly usurp) your regular mimosa.

The combination of herbs and other fresh ingredients makes our Cucumber, Honey, and Thyme Margarita Slush almost feel like you’re drinking a healthy slushie. Just with an extra kick!

Stirring mezcal, tequila’s cousin, into our Mezcal Margarita adds a whole new depth of smoky tart flavor since it’s made from the slow-roasted hearts of agave plants.

The Caribbean attitude of this Hibiscus-Lemon Margarita is amplified by the unconventional addition of club soda, which adds some extra sparkle.

Spice isn’t just reserved for food this Cinco de Mayo. The Fresno chile in our Chile-Agave Margarita adds a kick (which can be toned down for the tender-tongued) that is balanced by the inclusion of sweet agave nectar.

Keep Reading:

• Best Taco Recipes (Ever!)
• 20-Minute Mexican Recipes
• Our Go-To Mexican Faves

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Study: Ugly Produce May Be More Nutritious

Credit: MIGUEL MEDINA / Staff / Getty

We’re all guilty of it. Digging through the produce section to find those perfectly round, bright red tomatoes or bruise-free apples. Consumers are experts at rejecting any oddly shaped or mildly bruised produce, which makes it no surprise that 133 billion pounds of food went uneaten in 2010. But would you be more likely to choose those misshapen or unusually colored fruits and vegetables if it meant getting better nutrition from them?

It’s true, studies show that imperfect produce may contain more nutrients than their prettier counterparts. The very thing that makes them unappealing to grocery shoppers is what might cause them to have more antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and resveratrol.

How exactly does this happen? Well compare it to kids who play outside (and never really get sick) or those living in a safe bubble (who always seem to have a cold). The idea behind these results (ugly=healthier) is that the plant gets its ugly mug by defending itself. When attacked, either by pests or plant diseases or just being dropped one too many times, the plant must defend itself, sometimes by producing more antioxidants. When these plants overcome the problem and continue growing, they keep these extra antioxidants to pass onto whoever eats it.

If you’re chomping to get your hands on the unattractive produce now, you’re in luck. Whole Foods is testing selling ugly fruits and and veggies. Other stores that haven’t embraced the idea yet may have their less than sightly foodstuffs buried under prettier produce, so some digging may be required. And farmers’ markets are a good place to find foods that wouldn’t normally meet the industry’s beauty standards. Just remember, ugly produce needs love too.

Keep Reading:

• In Season: Spring Produce Guide
• Healthy Fruit and Vegetables Recipes
• We’re Calling on You to Love the Uglies!

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 20 Gifts for Moms Who Love to Eat and Cook

You’re only a few short days away from one of the most important holidays of the year—the one where you celebrate the woman who brought you into this world. If you’re short on ideas or need some delicious gifting inspiration, we’ve collected 20 Mother’s Day gift ideas for moms who love to eat and cook (and entertain and organize and sweat). Each gift is as unique and special as the special lady who loves you endlessly, so be sure to spoil her again and again on her day.

For Moms Who Love to Entertain

Photo: Courtesy of Target

1) If your mom sets color palettes and menus before guest lists and dates, her summer soirées deserve the Marimekko home collection at Target. The bright bursts of bold pattern and captivating colors will fill any festive occasion with plenty of exciting decor. From $10-50, target.com

Photo: Courtesy of Epicurean

2) Their cutting boards are famous (and adored by our editors) because they’re made from a durable high-quality material that doesn’t warp easily or absorb stains or smells. Their Pastry Stands, which are made from the same material as their cutting boards, make an ideal gift for moms who love spending several laborious hours crafting cakes—and thus deserve a stand worthy of their creation. $40-60, epicureancs.com

Photo: Courtesy of Juliska

3) Famous for her fresh-squeezed lemonade, mom deserves a pitcher worthy of her best brews. Juliska’s Colette Green Pitcher and Dean Pitcher are equally unique and varied for your mom’s specific style. Starting at $95, juliska.com

For Moms Who Love Cooking (As Much As They Love Eating, Maybe More)

4) Written by our favorite mom, Everyday Whole Grains is a great gift for mothers who are passionate about feeding themselves and their family delicious, healthy, wholesome meals. Ann Taylor Pittman, Cooking Light‘s Executive Editor, spent months crafting dishes of all sorts from whole grains. What she created is a true masterpiece and will be admired for your mother (and those who eat her delicious cooking) for years to come. $25, amazon.com

Photo: Courtesy of French Bull

5) French Bull’s ceramic cooker is the right size for smaller braising and slow-cooking recipes. It’s safe for stovetops, oven, microwaves, and grills, which makes it ideal for cooks who have limited space and need the most from their cookware. Plus, who can resist the lid’s adorable design? $100, frenchbull.com

Photo: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

6) Take it from us: You can never have too many Lodge cast-iron skillets. And thanks to their versatility, they’re more trendy for the home cook than ever. From skillet cookies to pizzas, you can make just about anything in these multi-purpose pans, so stock mom’s cabinets with a variety of sizes. Starting at $13, williams-sonoma.com

Photo: Courtesy of All-Clad

7) Mom is a master at whipping up fried eggs, grilled cheeses, and sautéed asparagus spears. It’s time to treat her to a set of pans worthy of her skills. All-Clad’s new d3 Armor series, which is made in the USA, features special rivets or “bubbles” that make these sleek stainless steel pans stick-free. The Fry Pan is a great first piece for her collection. You can also treat her to a Fish Pan or the Sauté Pan with lid. Starting at $110, williams-sonoma.com

For Moms Who Love Everything in a Neat Row

Photo: Courtesy of Le Creuset

8) She already has the Dutch Oven, Pie Dish, and Cookbook Stand in coordinating colors. Why not add to her beloved Le Creuset collection with a set of these envy-inducing Storage Canisters? The 5 sizes and 9 colors provide you endless opportunities for mixing and matching a collection she’s sure to love. Starting at $25, lecreuset.com

Photo: Courtesy of One Canoe Two

9) She knows exactly where everyone will be every moment of every day, but sometimes mom needs to jot down her thoughts so she doesn’t forget (like that would ever happen). This hand-illustrated 60-page calendar will keep mom organized, grocery lists made, and the schedules running smoothly. $12, 1canoe2.com

Photo: Courtesy of MoMA Design Store

10) Help mom grow beyond basil, thyme, and oregon with this Spicy Micro Green Grow Kit from MoMA Design Store. The kit sprouts spicy microgreens like mustard, daikon radish, chrysanthemum, which make quick salads or tasty toppers for avocado toast. $48, momastore.org

For Moms Who Love Sweets

Photo: Courtesy of Cocomels

11) Fill mom’s secret stash of sweets with these organic coconut milk caramels that are so divinely indulgent, they’ll make her swoon. Available in four flavors (original, espresso, sea salt, and vanilla), gift her her favorite flavor or offer an assortment so she can indulge depending on her mood. Available in stores and at jjsweets.com

Photo: Courtesy of Theo

12) Spoil her with a special (and beautiful) bar of chocolate that is as sweet and unique as she is. Theo’s dark chocolate Almond Coconut and milk chocolate Lemon, part of a Limited Edition Spring Collection, make a perfect final touch to any gift basket you put together. $4, in stores and at theochocolate.com

For Moms Who Need to Be Pampered

Photo: Courtesy of Paper Source

13) Now she can enjoy the scent and happiness a cone welcomes without having to scoop into a pint herself thanks to this Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Candle. (Of course, give mom a pint of her favorite flavor, and you’re bound to make her day.) Once it melts, the soy candle is a body cream. $30, papersource.com

Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

14) Champagne is her preferred beverage, so she’s bound to love some bubbly in her bath bubbles. Antica Farmacista Prosecco Bubble Bath combines honey, aloe vera, green tea, and jojoba oil for a luxurious experience. Give her the afternoon off, and let her slip away into oblivion. $38, neimanmarcus.com

Photo: Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

15) Pour her a glass (or two) of vino, hand her this gift, and let mom disappear into a wine-inspired moment of bliss. These all-natural vegan and gluten-free wine soaps are inspired by the “notes” of classic wines, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. $28/set of 4, uncommongoods.com

For Moms Who Loves to Move

Photo: Courtesy of Genuine Thermos Brand

16) Thermos’s 24-ounce Connected Hydration Bottle with Smart Lid helps mom reach her daily hydration goals. Bluetooth technology in the lid syncs with her iPhone and/or a Fitbit to monitor her water temperature and intake. $60, thermos.com

Photo: Courtesy of Netatmo

17) Moms warn their kids about skin cancer and sun burns almost any time they head out the door, but they don’t always think about protecting themselves. The June by Netatmo will help busy moms remember to get protection—and help them pick the best protection, too. The wearable June (available in three metallic colors) measures sun exposures and sends notifications to a smartphone when it’s time to apply protection. It’ll tell mom what she should grab—a hat or SPF 50, for example—so she can get protected and get back to enjoying her outdoor time. $130, junebynetatmo.com

18) If mom is as serious about counting her steps as she is eating fresh, healthy foods year around, she deserves a Cooking Light subscription. And while you’re at it, why not get one for yourself or a sibling, too? $18/2 subscriptions, cookinglight.com

For Moms Who Are Far Away This Mother’s Day

Photo: Courtesy of Bloom Nation

19) Are you away from home this Mother’s Day? Send mom a bouquet of sweet smelling flowers to fill her home with a constant reminder of your love. Follow her lead and go local with your floral search. We like BloomNation because it combines local artists with floral buyers. Find your city, pick a design, and purchase. Shown: Garden of Dreams ($50), bloomnation.com

Photo: Courtesy of Seeds of Life

20) If mom would rather dig in the dirt and reap the rewards of her own green thumb, send her a beautiful bloom to plant. Seeds of Life ships blooms and seedlings that can go straight into the ground (if it can live in your mother’s climate zone, of course). Pick from all types of flora, including Potted Bougainvillea, Red Roses, Lemon Tree, and Magnolia Tree, among others. Starting $34, seedsoflife.com

Keep Reading:

• The Best Make-Ahead Mother’s Day Breakfast Idea
• Mother’s Day Brunch Menus

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