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Kidzui: Valentine's Day Treat for Kids

For the instructions on how to make this fun after school treat for your kids this Valentine's Day head on over to Kidzui.  I have a great tip for labeling glasses too so kids don't forget which one is theirs.

Kidzui: Fun Winter Lunch Idea For Kids

Want to know how to make this fun snowman sandwich? Come on over to Kidzui where I'm sharing the instructions.

 

MotherKnows: Fun and Healthy Thanksgiving Treats

A perfect snack for kids or to set out as appetizers this Thanksgiving.  You will find all of the details on how to make these Fun and Healthy Thanksgiving Treats on MotherKnows.

Kid-Friendly Apple Loaf (with DHA Omega-3)

A couple of weekends ago we took the kids apple picking at Raven Hill Orchard in Julian. I still have two bags of apples on my kitchen counter waiting to be used.  And use them, I will.

This week I made them an Apple Loaf.  But, not just any apple loaf, this one is packed with DHA Omega-3 to help support their brain and heart health.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (Horizon organic Omega-3)
• 1 1/4 cup milk (Horizon Reduced Fat DHA Omega-3)
• 2 cups apples
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbs ground flax seed (great source of Omega-3)

Topping:

• 2 tbs white whole wheat flour
• 1 tbs granulated sugar
• 1 tbs butter (softened)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Tip: You can also add walnuts to this recipe, I didn't only because my kids don't like walnuts.

Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.

Turn your oven on to 375 F.

In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, flax seed, baking soda, and baking powder using a wooden spoon. Make a well in the center. Set aside.

In a second bowl cream together the margarine, vanilla and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each is added. Gradually add in the milk, continuing to stir until well combined. Pour this into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir using a wooden spoon until all ingredients are mixed together.

Peel and chop the apples and add them to the bowl, stirring to combine. Pour your mixture into the loaf pan.

Make the topping: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a fork. Using your fingers crumble the mixture across the top of the batter in the loaf pan.

Bake your apple loaf for approximately 1 hour or until browned and when a skewer is inserted in the center it comes out clean.

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Share how you sneak Omega-3’s into your family’s diet for a chance to win a $500 Grocery Shopping Spree!

DHA belongs to a category of healthy fatty acids known as Omega-3's. DHA is a major structural fat in the body, and has been shown to support brain, heart and eye health. Not only is DHA found in foods like salmon and eggs, but it can also be found in Horizon® Organic Milk enhanced with DHA Omega-3. Learn more about Horizon’s commitment to healthy families at http://www.horizondairy.com/everyday-nutrition/dha-omega-3/

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand.

How Do You Like Apples?

On Friday in the Kinder class we did an experiment with the kids to see which is their favorite way to enjoy an apple.  I thought this was such a great idea and a perfect Fall activity to do with your kids so I couldn't help but share.

We began by making crockpot applesauce.   We didn't follow a recipe for this.  Each child brought an apple to class (both red and green apples were brought), a few parents peeled and cored them and then the kids chopped them into smaller pieces using a plastic knife.   We added cinnamon, sugar, and water to the apples in the crockpot, turned it to high and let it go for a few hours, stirring occasionally.  The smell in the classroom was divine.  Using a potato masher we broke down the chunks just a little and served it in bowls. We also gave the kids a plate containing both red and green dried apple pieces, fresh apples sliced, and a cup of apple juice. 

The kids had to taste each item and then were given a piece of paper divided into 4 categories.  They had to color the image of the apple item they loved the most.

As you can see the apple juice was a clear winner (not really surprising), the applesauce and dried apples tied for second, leaving fresh apples last.

Have you been apple picking this season, or done any fun apple activities, I'd love it if you shared them.

5 Tips For Getting Your Kids To Eat Healthy Food

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1. Grow your own fruit, vegetables and herbs at home. Have the kids help care for them, pick them and wash them. If you cannot grow these at your home, take them to organic farms to pick their own. Teach them the names of the different fruits and vegetables along the way and how they are grown.
2. Get your children into the kitchen. Teach them how to prepare dishes. Younger children can start with washing fruit and vegetables, rolling meatballs, making sandwiches, cracking eggs, mixing, pouring, and measuring.
3. If possible prepare school lunches and snacks at home. Unfortunately too few schools offer healthy choices. Whole wheat sandwiches with cheese, fruit, granola bars, applesauce, and water bottles are favorites with our children.
4. Take your children grocery shopping with you. Have them put fruit and veggies into re-usable bags and if scales are available weigh it. Involve them in the meal planning process. Incorporate some of their favorite dishes along with a new ingredient or a new dish for them to try.
5. Make homemade trail mix, cut fruit, and prepare snacks into small individual tubs. Place them within easy reach for the kids (whether it be in the refrigerator or pantry) so they can help themselves to healthy snacks when they are hungry.

Share how you get your kids to eat healthy food below for a chance to win a $500 Mom’s Getaway Spa Day from BlogFrog!

Want to exchange more healthy snacks ideas, money saving tips and back to school shopping advice with other moms? Visit the Horizon® Healthy Families Back to School Community!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand.

School Snacks: Trail Mix

Time is something that a lot of us seem to be running short of in the mornings when getting kids ready for school, so anything that we can do ahead of time is sure to help the mornings be less hectic.

Here is a simple recipe for Trail Mix that you (along with your kids) can make over the weekend, store in a large airtight container and then scoop into small containers to go in your childs lunchbox, or use as an after school snack - keep snack size containers or bags filled and within easy reach in your pantry for your child.

Ingredients:

The possibilities are endless with Trail Mix.  Use an assortment of your child's favorite snacks.  For this one this is what the kids decided they wanted:

• Goldfish
• Pretzels
• Raisins
• Assorted dried fruit
• Popcorn
• Cheerios
• Dried yogurt/fruit drops

Get the kids involved in this process as much as possible.  They can measure, pour and mix, as well as offer suggestions on what foods they would like to incorporate.  No better time than right now to start teaching them how to make their own snacks.  And by leaving some in airtight containers, they will be able to help themselves to something yummy after school too.

Do you have tips to share on saving time in the mornings?  Come join Sommer, Rachel and I in a live chat on Monday from 6pm-7pm PST in the Horizon Community.

 

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as Community Leader in the Horizon Healthy Families Back to School Community.

Healthy Treats For Kids

I cannot be the only mother who has gotten all of the kids into the car in the morning, headed off to school drop-offs and have a child remind them that they haven't eaten, then had to swing by the closest store to pick them up something quickly.  And just when you thought that for once you were going to arrive at school on time and with nothing going wrong.

Here is a quick, healthy, before school (or in my case, on the way to school) breakfast which can be put into a re-usable iced coffee/smoothie cup that has a lid and straw.   Because we all know that when you are on the go, smoothies and iced coffee don't taste the same if they aren't in a fancy cup with a lid and straw, right.

Mango Smoothies and Popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen mango pieces
• 1 lge tub of vanilla bean yogurt
• 1 tsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp freshly chopped mint (from my garden)
• Horizon organics reduced fat milk

Put the first four ingredients into a blender.  Top with milk.  Blend.

Now, before you get all eager to pour it into your fancy smoothie cup, pull out your popsicle molds.  Spoon a little of the mixture into the molds and freeze.

Now you have after school snacks for the following day too.

Come join us in the Horizon Back To School Community to discuss all things about summer vacation fun, meal planning, and back to school tips.

 

AS SEEN ON:

Momtastic

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as Community Leader in the Horizon Healthy Families Back to School Community.

Easter Treat: Chocolate Crackle Nests

Chocolate Crackles are a typical party treat in Australia.   I have tried to make them once since I moved to the states, but they just didn't taste the same. Normally they are made with copha, which is difficult to find here and the substitute I tried at the time just didn't cut it.

Then after some research I found another product I could use instead; coconut oil.  I couldn't wait to try them (being a huge fan of anything coconut, and coconut flakes are an ingredient in these already).

A traditional chocolate crackle is mixed together the same way I will outline below, but the mixture is spooned into a muffin or cupcake paper or foil baking cup (patty pan for the Aussies) and left full, instead of hollowing out an area to make a nest shape.  This is a great recipe to have the kids help out with as it's primarily measuring and mixing - adults should take care of the coconut oil portion of the recipe though.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Rice Krispies
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup confectioners sugar (sifted)
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1 1/4 cups coconut oil

Place the coconut oil into a small saucepan and stir over low heat until melted.

Combine the rice krispies, cocoa powder, confectioners sugar and flaked coconut in large mixing bowl. 

Gently pour the coconut oil over the dry ingredients and combine with a wooden spoon.

Spoon mixture into baking cups.  Using a small spoon, make a well in the center of the chocolate crackle to form a nest shape.  Place baking cups in the refrigerator until set.  Approximately 1 hour.

These will make a great treat for a Easter or school party, or for kids to give to their friends.  Just pop each one into a small clear gift bag or a small treat box and tie with a ribbon.

Note:  You could also add raisins or chocolate chips into this recipe.

Travel: Snacks on the go

We seem to be on the go with the kids a lot, whether it be extra-curricular activities, road trips, hiking, or traveling.  One thing we try to ensure is that our kids have healthy snacks when they are on the go.

I'm guest posting over at Military Travel Mama with my tips, I hope you'll pop over for a little inspiration.

The lunch/snack bags were handmade.  Find out how, here.

I've been asked about the re-usable snack bags.  I purchased a set off Etsy, they are fantastic for snacks, but are marketed as produce bags, which is what I also use them for instead of using plastic bags at the grocery store.

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Speaking of inspiration.  If you are in a bit of funk with your writing, I've written a guest post at Indie Biz Chicks: Finding Inspiration for Blog Posts. 

I hope it gives you a few ideas.