Kate Missine

For most Americans, the holidays smell like spices and gingerbread cookies. For myself, like for many born in the former Soviet Union, the holidays will always smell like mandarin oranges.

Spring meals make us think of light foods, bright colors and, of course, the season’s new crop of fresh market produce. Unfortunately, as we’re well aware, younger diners may not always share grown-ups’ enthusiasm for spring chard or the perfect stalk of asparagus. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite food bloggers' most kid-friendly veggie offerings: from purple rice to rainbow-hued skewers, these flavor-packed and colorful recipes will encourage even the toughest veg hater to reach for seconds.

Redmond may be known as the hometown of Microsoft, but there’s much more to this Eastside city than computerized creations. With a revitalized downtown core, new bike paths, exciting new businesses popping up (the Eastside’s first Molly Moon’s!) and more new green spaces in the works, Redmond has morphed from a bedroom community for tech families to a destination in its own right. As the days grow hotter, here are the top five ways to find your cool in Redmond. Redmond Town Center, an open-air

Stretching along the shores of Lake Washington, the Eastside city of Kirkland is a colorful, bustling community with all the ingredients of an urban resort. A short 20-minute trip from Seattle across the cool new 520 bridge, or an easy drive or bus ride from pretty much anywhere on the Eastside, Kirkland is chock-full of fantastic beaches, festive street spirit and great eateries. Here are our top family-friendly picks for spending a gorgeous summer day in Kirkland. Kirkland’s spectacular water

Seattle families know that Vancouver, B.C.’s shimmering beaches and snow-capped mountains just across the border make for a perfect weekend getaway. But while the Canadian city’s star attractions like Stanley Park and Lynn Canyon are perpetually popular with out-of-towners, it’s a whole new trip when you have a baby or young toddler in tow. As many new (or new-again) parents discover, the 0 to 5 crowd can easily tire even the most seasoned of travellers as bustling streets become stroller obsta