I have one son who LOVES gummy snacks. He thinks having a cupboard FULL of fruit snacks is the ultimate in snacking perfection. But, I have trouble finding fruit snacks for a reasonable price that I ACTUALLY want him to eat. Many options are full of preservatives, and the ones that aren’t are at a price that I am just not willing to pay for a “quick” snack. I stumbled upon many recipes online for homemade snacks, but none of them set up to be quite “gummy” enough. They often had a texture much closer to a jiggler, and were not very easy to pack into lunchboxes. So, I set out to create my own. Here is how you can do it at home, super quick and easy! Continue reading “Easy Peasy Jello Gummy Snacks” »
Tag: kids
Classic Buckeyes: Peanut Butter Candies your Family WILL Love!
There is a little tension in my house this week. Okay, a LOT! You see, it’s Buckeye week, the most anticipated candy making session of my entire year. My boys love buckeyes. They may even be addicted to them.
Buckeyes were a yearly addition to all the cookie trays when I was growing up and I have continued that tradition with my own children. But, because they love peanut butter cups all year long, they eagerly await the day that the kitchen fills with the smell of peanut butter and powdered sugar. They eat them off the tray sometimes as fast as I can roll them. And…always…I have to remind them to slow down, because I learned as a child that too many buckeyes can really give you a heck of a sugar buzz! Continue reading “Classic Buckeyes: Peanut Butter Candies your Family WILL Love!” »
Christmas Breakfast Pretzel Candies: 3 Ingredients to Adorable!
This adorable little candy was on every holiday cookie plate my mother made when I was growing up. I always called them Christmas Breakfast candy, but I have no idea where the idea, or the recipe, actually came from. They always reminded me of little dollhouse food, a perfectly cooked egg and two slices of bacon…in miniature. When I had my own kids, I started to make this, too. They became very popular and people started looking for them. My husband looks forward to these little bites every year. They really dress up a holiday cookie plate and look so cute on a Christmas breakfast or brunch table. The best part? They have only THREE ingredients, so you can whip them up in no time. Continue reading “Christmas Breakfast Pretzel Candies: 3 Ingredients to Adorable!” »
How I Feed my Magazine Addiction (for FREE!)
I love all things about magazines. I admit it, I am one of those people. I carry a magazine most places I go. I love to browse through them. I get a little irritated if my hubby steals a new one before I have the chance to flip through it. But, magazine subscriptions can be expensive, so I needed to find a way to feed my habit. Read on to find out how I learned to do it for FREE (plus gained so much more) with a great site. Continue reading “How I Feed my Magazine Addiction (for FREE!)” »
The Design-Your-Own Dinner: Stir Fry!
Sometimes, around here, dinner is a BIG problem. It’s not that I can’t get dinner on the table, it’s that every single time I do, there is someone at the table who wishes they had something different. This used to frustrate me, and sometimes still does. But, when I started practicing the Design-Your-Own Dinner with my kids…that changed. Last night I made Stir Fry. I got rave reviews from everyone at the table. Why? Because they built their own dinner from the bottom up, and that means they had all the things they love. It’s really that simple. Stir Fry cooks fast, so I can whip up each person’s order in record time, usually a lot less time than I was spending in the kitchen making other dinners. The best part? They don’t even realize how healthy this dinner is. All the vegetables they are consuming are amazing, and the quick cooking time means those veggies are at their peak. Want to Design-Your-Own Dinner? Read on to find out how I do it! Continue reading “The Design-Your-Own Dinner: Stir Fry!” »
Hey, Kids…It’ll be Alright
This morning dawned a new day, with a new President-elect, and people are really struggling to feel heard and understood…on both sides. As a family, we expose our children quite a lot to the political process. We want them to see what is happening, understand how it works, and also see how people react. But, this election has been slightly different for me. If you read my earlier post on whether or not this political climate is making us into bullies (you can find that post here), you know that in the end…one of the things that matters to me a great deal is how our children are feeling. This morning, the children are STILL watching us. What are they learning today? Continue reading “Hey, Kids…It’ll be Alright” »
Is Today’s Political Climate Making Us Bullies?
This election has been tense, and filled with all kinds of emotion. As parents, we work hard every day to teach our children to be kind and thoughtful. We ask them not to speak disrespectfully. We talk to them about being fair and hearing the other person’s side of the story. But, as parents, are we struggling to do the same in a political climate that is making us all feel a little self-righteous? Continue reading “Is Today’s Political Climate Making Us Bullies?” »
6 Quick Tips for Trick or Treating Safely
If you are heading out with your child tonight for a little fun, keep safety in mind! These six tips are easy to do, and can be done in a flash this afternoon before you head out. Stay aware of your surroundings to make sure tonight is filled with fun and laughs, not tears and tantrums! Continue reading “6 Quick Tips for Trick or Treating Safely” »
Simple and Wholesome Pumpkin Muffins
I love this time of year, because when I am out and about I can find pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING. Pumpkin is one of my favorite fall flavors. But, in our home, we use pumpkin quite a lot throughout the whole year. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A, fiber, and beta-carotene. I find pumpkin soothing to my stomach and easy to eat. The flavor is fantastic, and when combined with warm spices…really has such a comfy feel! I keep canned pumpkin in my cupboard, as well as fresh pumpkin puree in my freezer in the years when our pumpkin crop does well.
These simple muffins are great for breakfast or as a snack. They are also super to pop in your kid’s lunch boxes. They are light, moist, and filling. I hope you give them a try. Their simplicity is my favorite part. It takes very little time to whip these up! Continue reading “Simple and Wholesome Pumpkin Muffins” »
Helping Kids Who are Afraid at Halloween (with FREE Printable)
Children are usually very excited about Halloween, The chance to dress-up in a million imaginative costumes, have sweet treats, and get just a little scared is often fun for kids. But, some kids don’t find this holiday fun at all. They find it frightening. They feel nervous and afraid to participate in Halloween activities, even at school or home. As a parent, it can be frustrating to try to make the holiday special for a child who is feeling this way. Here are some tips to make this holiday fun and to introduce it in a manner that feels safe to your child.
Continue reading “Helping Kids Who are Afraid at Halloween (with FREE Printable)” »
