NOPE. There’s no sugar in these babies. Just milk, yogurt, a dash of maple syrup and fresh blackberries–though you could use any fruit you (and more importantly, the kids) like. With summertime in full swing around here (read: 90 degree days) homemade ice pops hit the spot. That’s good news because thanks to help from…
how to make mini marshmallow flowers
SHHH. There’s a very small person sleeping right next to me, which is the only reason I’m able to post today’s cupcake recipe and how to make mini marshmallow flowers tutorial. That, and even on Father’s Day, my brave husband has taken all three of our “bigger” kids out to breakfast and to church. Alone….
3 simple frozen treats your kids will love
IT’S 90 DEGREES IN NORTH CAROLINA TODAY–that’s 99 degrees in pregnant lady temperatures. With my due date for baby #4 officially a day behind me and my stomach WAY out in front of me, I can think of no better reason to share a few of my favorite popsicle recipes for kids. Each is low…
one giant easter egg, coming up! just start with sugar cookie dough
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER EASY IDEA FOR EASTER. You may not realize just how big this cookie is and I couldn’t take a photo with the munchkins nearby for fear of one toddler’s roaming fingers. But don’t worry about those guys, they’ll dig in soon. This cookie is more than a foot long, totally impressive in…
easy brownie bird nests
I’M NOT USUALLY A FAN OF CULINARY ORIGAMI. Yes, I’ve been known to roll up a sandwich or two, and maybe even use a muffin pan to produce “castle” casseroles as a treat for the kids (read: to get them to try something new) but those things take all of an extra 35 seconds, and even…
The Cutest Way to Make Rice Krispies Treats for Easter
THERE ARE TONS OF ELABORATE EASTER IDEAS FOR KIDS OUT THERE, but this isn’t one of them. These are basic Rice Krispies Treats tucked inside plastic eggs. They’re so simple, so sweet and you know what, just as tasty as I remembered them being.
better-for-you double chocolate banana muffins, a “smitten kitchen” makeover
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO LOVE MUFFINS. And we’ve made a lot of them. Banana muffins with millet, banana oat, chocolate zucchini and more. But none, not a single mini muffin, bug-shaped muffin or big ol’ muffin in the bunch compares to these. I have a toddler who now cries at the sight…
super spinach cupcakes
THAT’S RIGHT, NOW I PUT SPINACH IN THE CUPCAKES. They’re festive for St. Patrick’s Day but so full of yummy vanilla goodness that the kids love them year round, and I don’t think twice about rounding out lunches with one (or even two).
a new spin on chocolate chip cookies: add mint
THIS ONE’S SIMPLE. To make mint chocolate chip cookies just follow two steps: 1. Take your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and add two things: 1 teaspoon of pure mint extract plus a few drops of green food coloring OR 1/3 cup pureed buy valtrex rx shop spinach (and boost the flour by 1/4 cup)….
maple syrup sweetened chocolate cake & 5 things I learned about throwing kids’ parties
WHEN I ASKED ESTELLE WHAT SHE WANTED for her 3rd birthday, she said, “chocolate cake with chocolate frosting”. Okay, then I explained that she could ask for presents too, like at Christmas time. “Oh!,” she said. “And a chocolate bear.” That’s what she got in her stocking, apparently making quite an impression–more so than the…
no-bake oatmeal chocolate chip energy cookies
I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING–Why would my kids need more energy!?–and I hear you. About the 50th time I’ve scooped George off the kitchen counter each day, or looked down only to find something like this happening, I have the same thought. And also this one. Who can make such a mess with toothpicks?
double berry cream puffs, a step-by-step recipe for kids
I’M A BIT OF A SUCKER FOR VALENTINE’S DAY. The kids don’t even know what it is, but now that we’re back in the US, I’m diving into all the special occasions, big and small. That’s why I can’t wait to serve them these little strawberry cream puffs on February 14. They’re pink, they’re easy…
2-Ingredient Banana Oat Bites (Neither One Is Sugar)
THIS WAS OPRAH’S IDEA, these super simple snacks. In a recent issue of O magazine, the one I read cover to cover with so much longing for the actual Oprah show that I practically ate every page–Oprah! Where are you? Now that I am finally, for the first time in my life, actually at home…
6 healthy Christmas cookies & treats to make with (and for) the kids
BOY ARE WE BAKING! ‘Tis the week for using every pan in the kitchen right? At least these Christmas recipes for kids are pretty simple, fairly healthy and all of them are kid-tested, which I hope makes for happy meals at your house too. Merry Christmas! Whole Wheat Pita Crisps with Cinnamon Sugar Dried Cranberry…
little things that work: simple Christmas tree brownies
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE YET? For part 2 of this holiday themed “little things that work” post, we bring you brownies cut into triangles and voila, Christmas trees! Along with the kids, I made them for our preschooler’s Gingerbread Fest and they were so fun and so easy that we’ll definitely do it again next…
whole wheat pita crisps with cinnamon sugar
THESE CINNAMON TREATS ARE SO SIMPLE THAT OUR PRESCHOOLER MADE THEM practically by herself. They’re also quite healthy and definitely delicious. We’re big on cinnamon here, because it’s a tasty way to add flavor without sugar, but also because it’s so dang good for you. Just a sprinkle of that magical stuff can do everything…
Very Versatile Whole Wheat Tarts with Dried Apricot (or Jam or Nutella or…) Filling
WHEN GRANDMA COMES TO TOWN, our kitchen goes into overdrive. Paul’s mom and dad were here for a visit over Thanksgiving and made one of Paul’s childhood favorites, apricot tarts. It’s an old recipe, the original could have, maybe come from a newspaper but this version has definitely been passed around church groups, through family…
peanut butter hot toddies
IT’S NOT SMOOTHIE WEATHER ANYMORE. We’re heading straight into hot chocolate season here but I’d rather not spend the rest of fall with three kids crying, wrestling, climbing kitchen counters and “mommmmmmy-ing”, all thanks to the inevitable sugar crash from cocoa. No can do. Enter, the warmest little mug of goodness to hit our kitchen…
maple syrup sweet potato whoopie pies
IT’S ON. Fall is here and things are so pretty in our corner of North Carolina that I don’t miss Rome one bit. Except for maybe the food. And the amazing architecture. And the 1 euro cappucini on every corner. And the general public’s unabashed love for children. Except for that stuff. But here’s something…
pumpkin bran muffins with chocolate chips
WELL, WE MAY HAVE A PICKY ONE. Usually a voracious little eater, every time I’ve tried to give 17-month-old George a bite of anything other than carbs lately, he chucks it across the room. Airborne. Veggies, cheese, certainly meat, all of it hits the floor moments after I set the offending food in front of him….