Jun 04

Healthy Summer Snack Suggestions For Kids

Foodie Fridays No Comments »

For as long as she could talk my youngest would say, “I need a knack!” As much as I love to hear her cute lack of ‘S’ pronunciation, it does get old to watch my kids fill up on snacks and then pick at their dinner. For all appearances sake I have three little girls, but don’t fooled by their small bodies because they eat like Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

We start with fruits and veggies before I let them dive into the carbs. It’s amazing what they’ll eat if they’re really in need of “knack.” Here’s some suggestions of healthy snack options for kids to chow down on:

Grab and Go Snacks

  • Veggies and Ranch dressing
  • Carrots and refried beans (heat beans in microwave with salsa and cheese for 1 minute)
  • Apples
  • Sugar snap peas (my kids eat them plain, but you can also dip them in hummus instead of chips)
  • Grapes
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Plums
  • Apricots
  • Dried fruit
  • Nuts (lots of kids have allergies, so make sure your kids don’t have a problem with nuts before you introduce them to cashews, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, etc.)
  • Apples
  • Applesauce
  • Sugar-free jello
  • Sugar-free pudding
  • Low-fat popcorn

More Complex Snacks

  • Mini-pizzas. Top a whole wheat English muffin with ketchup, parsley, salami, and cheese and pop into the toaster oven until melted.
  • Bean and cheese burritoes. I overdosed on these in college, but they fill up my kids with lots of protein and they love them.
  • Faux lunchables. Instead of buying the pre-packaged kind lay your stuff out on a platter for the kids to dive into. Displaying the food in a fun way always makes it more appealing. Who doesn’t love to play with their food before they eat it?
  • Smiley face plates. I have school-aged kids who still fall for mom’s smiley face plates. I put whatever I have on hand into the shape of a smiley face on the plate and my kids devour it. I hope that trick lasts on and on.
  • Nachos. Put a few chips on the bottom and pile up the healthier stuff on top (chopped up chicken, cheese, beans, tomatoes, salsa, veggies etc.) and broil in the oven until the cheese is melted. The kids will feel like they’re getting a treat while you’ve tricked them into eating more than just chips.

Question: What do you do to feed your hungry gang?

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Jun 03

Summer Survival For You And Your Kitchen

Tried and True Thursdays 1 Comment »

With summer around the corner, I’m reminded of how hectic it is to increase the number of children at home during the day from zero to three. During the summer my children eat from the time they wake up until the final seconds before they brush their teeth at bedtime. My kitchen pays the price—and so does my sanity—when I spend the whole day wearing my chef’s hat. Here is what I did last summer to ease the summer burden a bit:

  1. Place cups, bowls, plates and spoons at an easy-access location. I have a bottom drawer dedicated just to kid-friendly dining wear. I bought fun, brightly colored dishes that I can re-use and replace periodically. I try not to use disposable paper products to save the family budget and the environment.
  2. Stock up on healthy snacks. I fill one bottom drawer in the fridge and one in the pantry with snacks I deem healthy and then I let my kids eat freely (within reason) at snack time. I also keep the fruit bowl full of all of those wonderful seasonal fruits. (Check out this Friday’s blog for a list of healthy snacks for kids.)
  3. Buy a water dispenser and keep it in the fridge. I encourage my children to drink a lot of water so I always keep cold water easily accessible in the fridge. Cold water is more refreshing, tastes better, and tends to be more appealing than regular tap water. I make it easy for little hands to get their own drinks so I don’t hear the repeated plea on hot summer days, “I need a drink!”

I’d rather offer my children some independence this summer so that I spend less time as waitress and cook and more time outdoors having fun at the beach, pool, or park.

Question: What are your tricks for giving your children access to the kitchen within reason?

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May 18

Back in a Week

Uncategorized 1 Comment »

I’ll be taking a week or so off from my blog due to a family emergency.

May 17

Future American Idol Finalist

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Yesterday, I could hear my youngest daughter belting out one of the many songs from her repertoire as I sat on my peaceful perch on the sectional in our living room. But this performance sounded louder than normal. Her sister, who was at my side when the show started, wandered upstairs to investigate and bolted back down to the living room to exclaim, “She’s standing in your bedroom window – totally naked—singing to the entire neighborhood! She said she was in her room but moved to yours because she ‘needed a bigger audience.’”  (Side note: My bedroom window overlooks a fairly busy commercial area of shops and restaurants.)

In my defense, I had sent my youngest daughter upstairs to get dressed and brush her teeth. I have to admit that I wasn’t at all shocked to hear that she became sidetracked by the thrill of being on center stage. I can picture a reporter interviewing me in 15 or 20 years asking, “What was your daughter like as a child?” And I will be able to honestly reply, “There was never a dull moment.”

One of the most thrilling things about being a mom – especially to girls – is to see how alike or, and in this case, not alike, to me they are becoming. Not that I want my kids to be just like me (because that means they would inherit the good, the bad, and the ugly. And who wants that?), but it’s fun to see how some of that DNA transfers over in a completely identifiable pattern. One of my daughters has developed my love of writing. Another loves sports. Another has inherited my passion for all things related to HGTV.

In the case of my youngest (i.e. the budding “American Idol” finalist), I see some definite areas where we don’t overlap. For starters, I’m not a singer. I can barely join in on Christmas carols and it’s a great feat that I even hum “Happy Birthday.” (She gets her songbird-ness from her father.) And second, I’m not a big fan of public nudity. Never went skinny dipping. Never did any streaking. (And I’m guessing that didn’t come from her paternity, either.)

So, her performance causes me to ponder some on those traits that I can’t readily trace back to any one ancestor. I wonder, “Where in the heck did this come from?” Don’t get me wrong—I’m not threatening to disown her or any of my kids. I do, however, seriously watch the behavior of each of my children some days and wonder where some of their strongest traits (even the good ones) come from when I can’t seem to link even an inch of their talent, courage or gusto to either side of their family tree.

In my child development classes in college my instructor argued that strong character traits are a result of a combination of nature or nurturing. I’m pretty sure there must be a third category called “neither.” Since I haven’t come up with any better theory, I’m proposing that these traits come from the stork that delivers children out of the sky. Maybe if I roll with that theory I won’t have to take responsibility for the outcome now or later. I guess that also means I can’t take credit for it later when she matures into the fantastic person I can see taking shape. There’s that whole Catch 22-thing popping up again in parenting.

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May 14

Eggs Are Amazing

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Cheap. Easy. And good for you. Eggs are an amazing way to get protein into your kids all day long.

Whether they eat them sunnyside up for breakfast, in a sandwich at lunchtime, for an afterschool snack on the go or on top of a salad at dinner eggs are a great food for you. And they also make the list of 10 Super Foods. (Click HERE for the full list of Super Foods.)

Here are a few ideas to make eggs more edibile for everyone–even those who claim they’re not fans. (A little salt on eggs goes a long way in improving the flavor of eggs.)

1.       Hard-boiled eggs. What kid doesn’t love eating with her hands? Hard-boiled eggs can be made ahead of time, and if you wrap a piece of bacon around the egg, the salty meat flavors offset the strong egg taste. My kids even gobble them up as afternoon snacks. Here are 5 more ideas for gobbling up hard-boiled eggs.

2.       Homemade Egg McMuffins. I use a slice of meat (Canadian bacon, deli sliced ham, turkey bacon, sausage patties, etc.) and one egg piled onto a buttered, whole wheat English muffin. You could also add a slice of cheese if you like, too.

3.       Breakfast sandwiches. Follow the same directions as the McMuffin above but use two slices of your favorite bread (I love sourdough) instead of the English muffin. Changing one ingredient really can fool young mouths and eyes into believing it’s really a different menu item. Wrap it up in foil and you can eat it on the go.

4.       Breakfast burritos. I combine a meat source, cheese, and hashbrowns (if I have some) into scrambled eggs and load them onto a warmed tortilla (15 seconds in the microwave.) Want a kick? Add some hot sauce or salsa to the recipe.

5.       Go traditional. You can always make a standard bacon-and-egg breakfast plate with toast on the side or an omelet with vegetables hidden inside if you can get away with it. The classics are always crowd pleasures.

6.       Try something different. Maybe poached eggs have a better texture for your egg-cautious kiddo? Or perhaps your kids would devour a quiche or frittata. You don’t know until you try, and eggs make a relatively inexpensive experiment. Check out my quiche recipe.

Question: How do you like your eggs?

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May 13

Protect Your Skin This Summer

Tried and True Thursdays No Comments »

With the unofficial start to summer just a few weekends away, now is a great time to check out some of the best products for safeguarding your skin.

Keeping bugs at bay just got a little bit easier with this awesome alternative to traditional bug spray. OFF! is introducing a clip-on bug repellent so you don’t have to worry about coating the entire family in that smelly stuff. It lasts for about 12 hours at a time or two weeks from the time you open it. You can either clip it to your clothing or you can rest it on a tabletop to keep bugs away while the kids play.

 

Spray-on sunscreens are still the best way to protect against sun damage. My favorite brand is Target’s Up generic. You can get a two-pack for less than $10. They don’t clog or come out goopy like other brands and they seem to have the most consistent spray. Use sunscreen sticks for protecting little faces. I love Nuetrogena SPF 70 for everyday moisturizing for the face and neck. I also lather up with Lubriderm SPF 15 for hands, arms, and legs. Both of these go on light and are unscented but add an extra layer of protection.

Spray-on aloe vera and Benadryl can relieve most summer skin woes. Did you miss a spot on your shoulder and get a little baked at the beach? Did the mosquitoes join you on your hike and leave the proof behind on your calves? Spray-on versions of both aloe and Benadryl are amazingly easy ways to soothe injured skin without making a mess or irritating the skin with additional contact.

Question: What products are on your must have list for summer skin protection?

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May 12

Get Your Crocs On For Less

Deal of the Week 1 Comment »

We’re not really a Croc wearing family, but I know lots of families love them. Here’s an awesome deal for all of you die-hard Croc-lovers. Get a pail of Prepair Flips, Slides or Clogs for $14.99 (including shipping).

1. Go to the Crocs website and search for “Prepair.”

2. Pick your favorite pair and then add the code PREPAIR1499 at check-out. The price should adjust from $34.99-$39.99 down to $14.99.

3.  To receive shipping just add the code springfreeship.

Note: Both codes are case-sensitive.

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May 11

On The Road Again

Tidy Up Tuesdays No Comments »

Hitting the road this Memorial Day? Is your car road trip worthy or does it already look like it’s been on 1,000 mile journey with empty juice boxes and snack wrappers pouring out of its cracks and crevices? Here are some tips to get your car clutter under control so you’re ready to kick off any family roadtrip whether it’s one mile or 100 miles long.

1.       Taking care of business. Sweaters, coats, backpacks, gear, books, etc. should all be removed each time you come home. I keep a trash bag in the garage to make it easy to get rid of trash, too.

2.       Backseat drivers. Use behind-the-seat organizers or a storage system in the back of the vehicle or trunk to keep toys, books, and other supplies that remain in the car nice and tidy. For school-aged children you may want to stash school supplies in the car to get a head start on homework if you’re out running errands or you find yourself in between after-school activities.

3.       All boxed in. Keep your glove compartment tidy with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance easily accessible. Other items you may want to store in your glove compartment include a notepad, pen, tire gauge, and paper napkins or tissues. I also keep a small makeup bag with lipstick, Tylenol, and other essentials at my fingertips.

4.       When disaster strikes. Keep a blanket, maps, water, snacks, flares, flashlight, help sign, first-aid kit, and plastic bags in the trunk. You’d be surprised how often these items come in handy if you have a personal disaster, much less a natural disaster on the road.

5.       Let the kids come along for the ride. I love watching my children Windex off their own fingerprints, or vacuum up their own spilled snacks. It also makes them more reluctant to make a mess in the car on future dates if they know they’ll be held responsible for cleaning it up.

Question: What’s the longest road trip you’ve ever taken?

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May 10

Baby Mama — The Last Trimester

Mommy Monday 1 Comment »

Here’s another great guest post from Tara as she shares her perspectives on the journey of her second pregnancy.

I am officially in the third trimester of pregnancy now. While I would rate it as easier than the first trimester—when I am always nauseated— I wouldn’t exactly call this trimester fun.  

While there are many reasons to complain about this final term of pregnancy, I limit my whining to just six reasons why I wouldn’t mind if my little boy came a few weeks early.

  1. Hurting Hips. Apparently the ligaments in my pelvis have softened, allowing my hips to spread, in preparation for birth. I think they should just wait and soften once I have an epidural, so I can’t feel any of it.
  2. Bladder pressure. Need I say more?
  3. Contractions. While Braxton Hicks aren’t painful yet, it’s still uncomfortable to try to do anything when my uterus is doing its own little work out.
  4. Frequent Doctor Visits. I now have to take time out of my day every two weeks to visit the doctor’s office. It isn’t that much fun anymore. For the first couple of visits when you are pregnant it is very cool to go to the doctor and realize there is a little baby forming inside of you, but at this point I don’t need the doctor’s help to know that there is a baby in there.
  5. Sleeping. I don’t think a comfortable position exists during the last ten weeks of pregnancy. It doesn’t help that once you finally get to sleep you have to wake up to visit the bathroom.
  6. Extra body heat. It isn’t really fun to have everyone else in the vicinity comment on what a nice day it is, when I am sweating.

 All of this being said, I suppose I will forget it all when we bring home our cute little baby boy.

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May 07

Yogurt: The Healthier Alternative

Foodie Fridays No Comments »

I know yogurt is incredibly healthy but after three pregnancies the smell and texture makes my stomach turn. However, I’ve re-opened my mind and my mouth to use plain yogurt as a substitute for sour cream in almost any recipe.

Low-fat and fat-free plain yogurts are a better source of calcium, protein, and other nutrients than other dairy products. Check the label and seek out products that are fortified with vitamin D. Dairy also contains the much-talked-about probiotics, which help to balance the naturally occurring bacteria in your gut. Yogurt also tends to be easier to digest than other dairy products, so it’s a great option for lactose-intolerant folks.

Here are three ways I’m trying to include yogurt in my family’s diet (without them even noticing).

1.       Substitute it in place of sour cream. Top a baked potato with it. Toss it into a sauce recipe in place of its higher-fat cousin sour cream or use it as a garnish on tacos.

2.       Whip up some dips and serve with veggies. If you ever feel guilty about diving into Ranch dressing with a carrot, then consider using plain yogurt as the base for a homemade ranch dressing.

3.       Hide it in a smoothie. I’m a huge smoothie fan because I’ve found that my juice creations (Click HERE for the recipe) make a great way to sneak in all kinds of fruits and vegetables into everyone’s diet. Add a little plain yogurt to your mix of your favorite fruits for a protein punch that will fill up all of their bellies.

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