Delicious Frozen Fruit Pops!

How cute are these Popsicle molds?!? I purchased them at my local Target. Each one is a different animal. And they are super easy to clean, which for me is always a HUGE plus. Here is a simple recipe that the kids are sure to love! You could really try a wide variety of fruits with this simple recipe. Now we just wait for SUMMER!

 

Recipe:

1 cup fruit juice (I used a 100% apple juice)

6 oz. frozen fruit of your choice (I used a mixed berry)

1 Tbsp. ground flax seed

2 Tbsp. Greek yogurt

 

Blend. Pour in Popsicle molds and place in freezer.

 

Thanks to Surviving the Stores for the idea!

Delish! Homemade Yogurt Granola Bars!

I have been dreaming about these for a couple weeks. Well, an extra day off is all it took. What is great about my granola bar recipe HERE is that it really takes 10 minutes to make. Cutting and wrapping takes the longest. The other day I was wandering the grocery aisles and I passed yogurt granola bars and thought...So with my granola bar recipe I made a few changes and this is what I got.

While these won't have a long shelf life, it is a great snack for the kids. The voting committee (all four boys)voted YES! and requested seconds. 

 

Recipe:

 

2 cups granola (I purchased a almond & blueberry granola)

1 cup rice cereal

1 Tbsp ground flax seed

 

Combine 3 items in bowl, mix and set to the side

 

4 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cups brown sugar

 

Place in saucepan, stir until butter is melted. Allow to come to a boil, reduce heat to low and let boil for 2 minutes

 

Stir in dry items into saucepan and stir until well coated.  Add in 1 cup marshmallows and gently stir in ( you could leave the marshmallows out)

 

Place in 9x9 pan lined with foil (lightly sprayed) or parchment paper. Pour mixture into pan and press down firmly.

 

Then took a handful of white chocolate chips and pressed down into granola bars.  Then take enough yogurt, whatever flavor you like and lightly coat the top of the bars. I used an organic strawberry. Then place in freezer until yogurt has hardened. 

 

Once it has hardened take out cut into pieces and serve or wrap in plastic. You can really make the pieces any size you want, I do smaller rectangles not normal granola bar size. It seems to be just enough for the kids and if they want more then can get another, reducing waste.

 

Enjoy!!

 



Homemade Whole Wheat Pop Tarts

I have had Pop Tarts on my list of homemade items that I want to master for a while. My kids love Pop Tarts and often ask for them.  There are quite a few recipes out there. The one I attempted is HERE. I have a few tweaks I want to make to this recipe but it definitely is headed in the right direction and the kids loved it. To me the kids vote is most important even if it is not quite where I want it.

Recipe:
2 cups whole wheat flour (this could be a 1/2 whole wheat 1/2 white) 
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter (1 stick)
1 egg
4 Tbsp milk


Combine your flour, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl and stir. Cut your butter into small pieces and mix into the dry mixture until it is crumbled up into it.  Whisk your milk and egg together and add to the other mixture.
Knead your dough until it is a nice consistency.  Roll out your dough into two large, thin squares.
Cut your dough into rectangles and place on set on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. 
Add your filling. I did learn that I need to be more generous with the filling. I used an all natural strawberry jam. You really have a lot of choices you could use.  Leave a small border around the outer edge. Then, place another rectangle and press the seams together. I took a fork and pressed them along the outer edge. You can also cut two small slits in the top of the pop tart to allow air to escape.
I also placed a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture on top instead of a frosting.






Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes


Thanks andchristina for the recipe HERE



Fun and Healthy Valentine's Snack

How fun is this treat for Valentine's Day? This is great snack or school lunch item and it only takes a minute to make. I purchased an all natural fruit strip took my round cookie cutter and cut into circles.  I then placed my printed note center and folded the circle in half.  Then hold the top and push in the center to form a fortune cookie.

What fun treats are you making for the kids on Valentine's Day?

Amazing Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Chocolate Chip cookies have always been a favorite in our house. Isn't that true for everyone? One of my favorite things to do is look at a recipe and think...can this be healthier? We don't always have to give up a favorite food to live a healthier life. To me it is about finding balance. Balance for me and balance for my kids.  I have tried numerous chocolate chip cookie recipes and this one hands down in our family favorite. We have yet to come to a conclusion on if we like the finished cookie better or the dough.

Recipe:

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. ground flax seed

3 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Blend butter and sugars. Add in eggs and vanilla one at a time. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Add in oatmeal, flax seed. Stir in chocolate chips.

Cook at 325 for 9 minutes.

Recipe alternatives- You can substitute 1 cup smashed banana for butter. The cookie consistency is a little chewier but the kids like them just the same.  Also, I have added in scoop of protein shake powder for some extra protein.

Original recipe came from HERE and I made my adjustments

A Weight Loss MUST READ!

The relationship with food is different for every person.  I have read numerous weight loss books but none like this.  This takes on an entirely new perspective.  A perspective of how God views food in our lives, and how it can control us. This book is called Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. 

As she says in the book, we need to have God satisfy our deepest desires and not the food we eat. I highly recommend this book.  As you begin your journey on losing weight I think it is vital to look at the place food has in your life. For me food had become a crutch.  A place that I felt made other stress in my life feel better. And I was completely wrong. It only made it worse.  This book gave me a entirely new light on food and God's purpose not only for how food fits into my life but also my purpose.  Order her amazing book HERE.

Quick Power Packed Protein Breakfast

 

Starting your morning off right is essential. Essential to living a healthy lifestyle and essential to losing weight. Let's face it so many of us have jammed pack schedules. Schedules that barely leave time for making time for ourselves.  This year maybe it is time to stop.  Stop saying yes to a full schedule. And instead say yes to healthy eating, rest, and time for healthy relationships. 

My mornings I am either running out the door early or getting a few little ones out the door to school.  As a Mom, putting everyone before me is the name of the game. So I make a good choice to have a power packed protein breakfast.  Packed with the right ingredients to make me feel full and energized for my day.  A simple powder, protein added to milk and there is breakfast.  Vanilla or chocolate. I have had many protein shakes and none compare to the taste of this one. This one if by far my favorite and it is so good I don't even have to blend it to enjoy. My shaker bottles work wonderfully with it. 


Some key ingredients:

16g of Protein
A proprietary blend of whey protein concentrate, organic pea protein and organic whole grain brown rice protein works to suppress your appetite and helps protect against muscle loss*

7g of Soluble Fiber
A dietary fiber source to help you feel fuller and satisfied longer, while maintaining insulin levels already in the normal range*

24g of Carbohydrates
A targeted amount of carbohydrates to enhance the body's natural burning processes upon waking and throughout the day*

690mg of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid
As Alpha-Linolenic Acid, which is naturally derived from flaxseed, to support the brain and overall wellness*

You can order yours here since it is not available in stores. This shake was a key part in my weight loss last year when I lost 20 lbs. in 12 weeks and my husband's 37 lbs. in 12 weeks.

Spooky Snacks

 

 

How fun are these treats? Healthy and the kids loved them!

The "Boo"nana Ghost I found HERE but she did hers with white chocolate and that would be delicious but I wanted something a little healthier. So I dipped the banana in vanilla yogurt added the chocolate chip eyes and placed in the freezer. Next time I will make sure to cut the banana in half and the slice again in half to make four quarters. This will make them perfect snack size for the kids. For the Frightening Apple Mouth I cut my apple into four sections leaving the core. Sliced out the center and filled with peanut butter. I then cut my mini marshmallows in half and placed in the peanut butter as teeth. Working on a new treat idea I came up with, so keep your fingers crossed it works out so then you can hear about it :)

Simple Homemade Applesauce

I didn't know that making applesauce was really so simple.

This is a great recipe for making freezer applesauce from Suburble. What a great healthy and delicious side dish to have handy for the kids (or yourself)! Apples can be pricey so watch ads for a great sale or check out Bountiful Baskets, see my previous post HERE, about buying them in bulk at a great price. Apples may not be available every week for Bountiful Baskets so watch weekly and grab them when available!

 

Recipe:

20 apples

3 cups water

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tsp. cinnamon

 

Directions:

 

Peel, core, and quarter apples

Place into large pot with water and bring to boil

Simmer on a low-medium heat until soft and mushy

Use a potato masher to mash the apples until it is a nice, chunky consistency

Place in food processor. I used pulse on mine until it was the consistency I desired

Add in the cinnamon and sugar and then pour into jars.

I was able to fill 8 jars, the blog I got them from stated she got 16 but I do like a little thicker consistency.

Once the jars are completely cooled place lids and rings on jars and place in the freezer. Sauce is good up to one year!

 

Happy baking! 

 

 

Homemade Slow Cooker Overnight Oatmeal

 

How lovely is it to wake up in the morning and breakfast is ready to go for the kids? AMAZING! Some mornings I am half asleep when I get the kids up and ready for school. So one less things I have to do, some days, can be my saving grace.

 

I came across this amazing recipe at Mom Endeavors for homemade oatmeal and it is super simple.

 

Recipe:

 

3 apples chopped up (chopped up finely and place in slow cooker)

2 cups of steel cut oats (HIGHLY recommend steel oats! I used regular oats and they are slightly more mushy)

2 cups milk

4 cups water

2 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. cinnamon

 

 

That is it! Took me less than 10 minutes to get that thrown in. Put it on low and allow to cook overnight and it is ready in the morning. Happy eating!

 



A Simple School Lunch Kids Love

What kid doesn't love a Lunchable? My goal is to make as much

for my family that is processed free. Are we completely processed free? Not yet. A transition like that can take time and energy. My shelves have mostly canned fruits and vegetables, spices, and baking items.  We make as much fresh as possible. 

 

When my kids get the luxury of grocery shopping with me, which is rare, they often pick up the popular Lunchable and want it for school.  When I shop I need focus on what I am buying, not who ran off into the next aisle. Especially since I coupon and try to shop only every two weeks. So I came up with making my own healthier, more fresh version. 

 

Cupcake liners make the perfect section separator.  What is great is you can change it up to different items.

 

Here is my list: 

 

Whole Wheat Ritz Crackers

Lunch meat

Cheese Slices

Grapes (Any fruit)

Annie's Organic Bunny Grahams

Juicy Juice Fruitfuls

 

Things to keep in mind when buying. Look for whole wheat options in crackers or buy organic.  Lunch meat, I stick with Hormel Natural Choice or Oscar Meyer Selects. These two come with No Preservatives and Nitrate Free. Yes, they can be more pricey but watch the adds and your coupons to stock up on them. The bunny grahams are their treat, I do my best to keep high sugar items when at school. With juices I look for 100% juice, nothing less.  Juice is not an everyday item in their lunch, I alternate with milk and water. In this lunch I feel it is lacking a vegetable so a few less grapes and maybe some carrot sticks I will add in next time!

 

The kids favorite part is I use my cookie cutters to cut the lunch meat and cheese into shapes. It makes for easier handling and fun to look at for them and simple for Mom to cut!

Simple Lunch Box Planning

Oh, the little things! I love me some organization. I know many Mom's know, if it is one kid or five kids, time is a sacred thing! Anything that allows me to spend a few more moments with my kids, having personal devotional time, or snuggling with my hubby for a show, I will do it!  This is one of those things. On top of it all it is absolutely adorable!

 

Change can be a little time consuming but once you get the swing of it, it becomes a habit.  I plan out the boys' school lunches about a month out.  This helps me with preparation the night before, grocery shopping, and saves money.  When you plan ahead for what you need for the month, your list is ready and when you see a deal you can stock up!

 

 

Best of all it is a free download! Head on over to A Little Delightful and download her beautiful Lunchbox Planner. And get planning!!!

Homemade Granola Bar Deliciousness

Getting something healthy in the tummy's of my little one's is my goal.  So I make thinks in bulk and have them on hand ready for a snack or school lunches. These homemade granola bars have become a favorite.  They are super simple, and take approximately 15 minutes to make.  Thank you Back to the Cutting Board for the recipe.

 

I made the S'mores Granola Bars but there are some additional yummy options on there. I love the parchment paper she wrapped hers in but I did mine in plastic wrap and sealed in a Tupperware to maximize shelf life. I did alter my recipe slightly by substituting her plain granola for a vanilla almond granola. I also added ground flax seed into my recipe. Flax seed gives some additional Omega-3 and what I love the kids never notice it is in there! I also cut my bars into mini size, which makes a less calorie snack and reduces waste. I can't count how many times I would find half of a store bought granola bar left lying around from the kids!

 

 

Recipe S'mores Granola Bar

 

• 4 Tbsp. Butter or Coconut Oil
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups granola
• 1 cup rice cereal (prefer a healthy organic brown rice cereal)
• 2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• I used a 9 x 9 baking pan and lined it with parchment paper. If you use foil, lightly spray it with oil
• Next, combine the brown sugar, honey, and butter in a medium size saucepan and stir until the butter is melted.
• Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low and let boil for 2 minutes. Until sugar is melted, then remove from heat.
• Add the granola, rice cereal, and flax seed to the saucepan and stir until well coated. Once coated, stir the marshmallows in gently.
• Pour into pan and press firmly down with a spatula, making it flat evenly across the entire pan.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips across the top and press down gently into the granola.
• Let sit 15-20 minutes until cool, then pull out and cut into bars.

 

Happy cooking!!

Fruit and Vegetable Shopping on the Cheap

 

Fruits and vegetables are essentials to a healthy diet.

Shopping on a budget and incorporating healthy foods is a challenge but one I am determined to master. With fruits and vegetables I previously always shopped the grocery ads and purchased what was on sale. That always became a challenge to plan meals around.

Until now.

 

I heard a while back about Bountiful Baskets. It has truly become a saving grace in my life. I can make affordable, healthy meals for my family.  And I have corn coming out of my ears. No, not literally.

 

Bountiful Baskets allows you to select a pickup location where you make a contribution for a basket for $15.00 that consists of 50% fruits and 50% vegetables.  And you can make it organic for an additional $10.00.  Pickups are once a week and you purchase when you like by the weekly cutoff time. You also have the option to purchase additional add-on's based on what is available to them. 

 

This is a picture of our 50/50 baskets, all lined up ready for their pickup.

 

 

The table above was my last purchase.  It also include a box of 48 ears of corn, which I did not lay all out.  I know you are looking at that thinking it will all go bad before you eat it all.  This was three add-on's (corn, juice pack, and stew pack) as well as my 50/50 basket. I also split it with my sister. The grand total $49.00, I paid half ($24.50) and so did she. Smokin' deal!

 

Once I get my items, I pull out my recipes and plan my meals for the next two weeks. I make one trip to the store, and then I am done cooking and grocery shopping (minus milk)for the next two weeks. You have to keep in mind that you don't get to say exactly what you want and the add-on's may change from week to week. 

 

As a Mom of four, this saves me so much time. The effort is the first day after that putting the meal in the oven or slow cooker is simple! It also provides us with new fruits and vegetables we have never tried, and helps keep us eating fresh!