Yummy Snacks

I love food. Don't we all???? But I tend to get stuck in a rut, especially when things are really busy. Then I find we keep eating the same stuff all the time.

So I'm constantly on the lookout for new healthy snacks for us to enjoy. I came across two new recipes that I can't wait to try.

This one is for roasted garbanzo beans. Hummus is one of my favorite foods so I'm hoping this is yummy too!

And this recipe is for homemade granola. Sounds super easy (right up my alley!). We go through a ton of yogurt and granola at our house so I'm excited to make this. I just bought the oatmeal and am gonna give it a whirl tonight.

Happy Cooking!

Celebration

Our little guy has just turned "4"!!! He had a wonderful birthday on Tuesday. Of course, I made a special cake just for him. For those of you that don't know, I make a homemade cake for each of my kid's birthdays every year. Last year was Spiderman, check it out here. It's a tradition that I started with their first birthdays and hope to continue for many more years. They have so much fun picking out their "theme" for the cake and can't wait to see it finished. I like to include them in the process too - it's just too hard to keep it a surprise when they're home with me.

This year, Jonas picked a monster truck. Did I mention that he picked this out about two months ago and has dilligently reminded me of it every week since? So I attempted a monster truck cake. If I could get scored based on love and effort, I think I truly deserve an "A+". Just remember to keep that in mind - it's the thought that matters most, not the end product. And maybe a "B" for creativity - I thought the donuts worked out great as wheels!

The bumpers, on the other hand, didn't quite look right. Oh well!

It could definitely be better, but I think that my four-year old loved his special cake, designed just for him! (Please don't pay attention to all the clutter on the kitchen counter - we were in the middle of our party!)

Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?

We like to think we're pretty healthy - we eat lots of veggies, fruits, brown rice, chicken, etc. We try to stay away from processed foods but it's definitely hard to do (I say this as we're having packaged pudding for a snack!). We try to buy organic when possible. I also try to cook and bake a lot of our foods from scratch. So you'd think we knew a thing or two about healthy eating and how our foods are made. Boy, were we wrong!

We watched "Food, Inc." this past Wednesday on the PBS channel and learned more than we ever bargained for. It should be mandatory for every individual to watch this documentary. For those of you that have never heard of it, this movie shows where our food comes from, how farms are operated, how a huge portion of our food is "manufactured" in factories, and how politics plays a huge role in what's available in our supermarkets. I was appalled to find out what's put in 70% of the hamburgers for sale in our supermarkets!

I really believe that it is easy to put masks over our eyes and ignore it all when we don't have to see the pictures and view the processes. But let me tell you, once you've seen it, it will significantly change the way you view your food.

I cannot recommend this documentary enough. In honor of Earth Day, PBS is offering viewing of this movie here through April 29th. Take a peek when you get a moment.

Valentines

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day. Even if you didn't get a bouquet of roses, a heart shaped box of goodies, or a big stuffed animal, I'm sure your day was special. Maybe you got some encouraging words from a friend or family member, maybe your kids made you a special gift, or maybe you got some precious alone time. The little things count too.

We started the day with banana slices arranged in a heart, then chocolate covered strawberries, and finally some Valentines cookies. We had a sweet day, can't you tell? I made the cookies posted here, and we were not disappointed. They are easily my favorite.

The kids loved sprinkling the sugar on top. I love the way the swirled ones turned out. I can't wait to try these again and put them on a stick in a cookie bouquet.

Hot Chocolate

UPDATE: This hot chocolate is so yummy! We all devoured it within minutes (even without marshmallows!)

My kids have been on a huge hot chocolate kick lately. Not sure if it's because it's so cold or maybe they just want something sweet. I'm starting to think it's all about the marshmallows though!

I feel my job as a parent is to find recipes that are in the best interest of my family. Ones that have minimal artificial ingredients, not a lot of fat/calories, and don't take hours to prepare. I always feel guilty when using the prepackaged mixes (you know what I'm talking about, Swiss Miss). Have you ever looked at the list of ingredients? And the recipes that require actually using whole candy bars and heavy whipping cream just make me feel fat before even drinking them!

Well, I think my search has finally ended!! Click here on Budget Mommy's blog to check it out. We will be trying it out today and I'll give you an update later. The ingredient list is short, and I have everything in my pantry/fridge. Yay!

Yummy!

One of my favorite recipe blogs is "Our Best Bites". It's written by two friends that have amazing cooking skills. Their recipes are extremely easy to follow and use everyday ingredients.

The chicken taquitos is one of my family's favorites and so is this dessert.

Aren't these the stinkin' cutest Valentines cookies you've ever seen?

I've always wanted to learn how to make this type of icing but couldn't find an easy recipe. Look no further. This is it! We made these for Christmas and will now be making them for Valentines.

Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

Favorite New Recipe

I came across a food blog last week that was like a hidden treasure ~ "My Kitchen Cafe". Lately I've been feeling like I make the same things everyday, but not any longer. Now I have much needed cooking inspiration.

I especially can't recommend this recipe for "Sweet and Sour Chicken" enough. My whole family gobbled it down which means a lot (even Camille who is going through an anti-chicken phase lately)!

So please give it a try and click "here". And if you live in a rinky dinky town like ours and can't get a decent Chinese takeout meal, you'll appreciate it that much more.

Kitchen Diaries

I woke up feeling the need to bake this morning. So we baked my most favorite bread. . .Irish Soda Bread. I know it's not St. Patty's Day but who says you can only have it once a year! My mom made this bread when I was growing up, and I looked forward to it everytime (especially warm right out of the oven with a little pat of butter, yum). Try it in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and you'll be hooked! All these years later I have yet to find a better version. My hubby and kids love this bread now just as much as I do. The recipe is down below.

And to give everyone an update on the dishcloths. . .I'm LOVING them!! They are absolutely wonderful. I just toss it in my washer at the end of each night and the cloth gets washed with the next load of laundry. It's really working out great.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour (I mixed whole wheat and unbleached white flours and it turned out great. Otherwise use white flour)

1/2 cup sugar

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3 tbsp butter

raisins (we use the 24 oz. container)

2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Cut butter into mixture and blend. Scald raisins in a colander under hot water (this softens and moistens them). Add raisins to mixture. Then make a hole in the middle of the batter and pour the buttermilk in. Stir until combined.

Grease a round casserole dish (like Pyrex) and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 60 minutes. This is how long it takes in my gas oven, I've heard it may take a couple of minutes longer in electric.

Happy eating!

Yummy Stuff

We love berries ~ blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, you name it. My kids will eat them all day long. So we were very excited to find a "pick-your-own-strawberries" farm right down the road. We have our very own strawberry patch right in our backyard, but come on, you can never have enough! :) So we set out on a Sunday and picked a bucketful. We've eaten them with every meal, made freezer jam, froze some for smoothies, and just made Berry Cream Cheese Bars. They are oh so yummy!

First, here's the recipe for freezer jam. It is soooo much better than jarred stuff from the store.

FREEZER JAM

1 packet freezer jam pectin (I used Ball. You can find it in the baking aisle. There's two packets per box.)

1 1/4 cup sugar

4 cups of berries (you can use any combination of berries)

Combine pectin and sugar in a bowl. Crush berries in blender until desired consistency (some people like it chunky, I like it smooth). Blend berry mixture with pectin mixture and stir for three minutes. Then let it sit in the container for half-hour on counter. Put in freezer for later or store in refrigerator and use for up to three weeks.

I used some of our thawed jam for this Berry Cream Cheese Bars recipe.

Hope you have a great Fourth of July!

Trail Bars

I love to bake, and I'm always in search of healthy recipes so this way I don't feel like we are eating cookies and cakes everyday. I found a great bar recipe in one of my old cookbooks that I adapted to what we had in the pantry. They were a big hit at our house. I have to give the warning though ~ these bars are high in fiber and energy. If that's what you're looking for in your diet, you've hit the jackpot.

These bars are slightly crumbly and offer a great mix of salty and sweetness.

Trail Bars

3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups All Bran Complete Wheat Flakes
Handful of raisins
Approximately 3/4 cup of chocolate melted (you can use almond bark, semi-sweet or dark)

In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir honey and peanut butter until it's of smooth consistency (almost to a boil). Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, raisins and cereal. Press into an ungreased 9x9 pan. Spread melted chocolate over top of bars and refrigerate until firm.

Dinner Time

I don't spend much time having fun on the computer as most of the time my use is strictly business (handbag business!), but just recently I happened across a fantastic blog. It's a blog filled with yummy, scrumptious recipes called "Dinners for a Year and Beyond". You've got to check it out if you're like me and get tired of making the same old, same old and are looking for something new to make for dinner. I tried the Divine Chicken Divan on Sunday, and my family loved it. I altered the recipe a little bit and used turkey instead of chicken and frozen mixed veggies in place of the broccoli. It was so flavorful and moist. Definitely a recipe that I've put in my collection as a "keeper".

Hope you find a meal that suits your taste!

It's Breakfast Time

I've forever vowed not to cave in to those big name brand cereal makers. You know what I'm talking about. . .the ones that advertise like crazy to appeal to your little ones and are full of sugar and artificial ingredients. I also knew that once my kids tried one of those cereals, that's all they would want for breakfast. It seems that every kid's motto is "the sweeter, the better". Don't get me wrong, I definitely have a sweet tooth. I have to be honest, we do sometimes indulge in cinnamon rolls. But, I try to come up with other ideas for breakfast. We usually have pancakes, waffles, muffins, and lately my kids have really gotten into oatmeal. I found this great recipe for baked oatmeal and I tweaked it to fit our tastes. We've really taken to it and thought I'd pass it along. Hope you enjoy it!

Baked Oatmeal (serves four)

1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2 apples chopped in bite-size pieces

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spread evenly in a greased 9 x 11 pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm with milk poured over it or put in your favorite yogurt.

Yummy Discovery

I'm always looking through the different categories on Etsy to see all the great handmade stuff that's out there, and I happened across the yummiest shop ever the other day. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5235881

Bangerang Bake Shop (aka Fat Daddy's Bake Shop) has the original Cupcake In a Jar. They look so scrumptious, I'd take a bite through my computer screen if I could. You gotta check out their cupcakes. They use all natural ingredients, even organic when available, and no preservatives or artificial anything. And to top it all off, they're right here in Chicago.

I'm already planning several orders for upcoming birthdays. We have a lot of relatives out-of-state that I know would love one of these Cupcakes in a Jar. Who wouldn't want to get mail like this??? Now just to decide which flavor ~ naked lemon lime, captain carrot cake or banana butterscotch.

Can you tell I have the hugest sweet tooth??

All for the Smoothie!

Sometimes at the end of the day I'll think about what I've eaten, and I can honestly say it wasn't a lot of fruit. I don't know what my problem is. When I was pregnant with both of my children, fruit was a staple in my diet. I could sit and eat half a watermelon and still crave more. I love fruit, and I serve it to my kids throughout the day, but for some reason I personally don't eat enough of it. I always tend to lean towards carbs when I have them in the house. Even growing up, I had the nickname of "starch queen" because I could eat meals of just potatoes and bread. I always wondered who would choose a steak over warm, buttery mashed potatoes. I know, I'm a little strange.

So to solve my fruit dilemna, I started making smoothies. And can I tell you, they are the best ever (my kids think so too). We have a great time coming up with different combinations (it's usually whatever's available in the fridge/freezer), they throw all the stuff in the smoothie maker (or you can use a blender), take turns pushing the button, and then we all sit together and enjoy our drinks.

This was our smoothie recipe today:

1 individual container of blueberry yogurt (the good stuff without the high fructose corn syrup, yuck)
frozen strawberries and blueberries
1 ripe banana
some ice
little bit of water (or you can use any flavor juice)

It turned out great and I felt somewhat healthy for getting my dose of fruit in for the day. You can check out www.smoothieweb.com for lots of recipes. You might get hooked like me.