Pita Chips...

Here's a great use for left over pitas... or a quick idea for some easy chips to go along with hummus and dips. Simply take your pitas, slice them in half, peel the pocket into 2 pieces, brush on some olive oil or grape seed oil, then sprinkle your sea salt & garlic powder on them and cut them into triangles. Heat your oven to 350 and lay them on a cookie sheet, then bake for 10- 15 minutes depending on how crispy you like them (and how thick you pitas are). You can add different spices like cumin or dried herbs or even cinnamon & sugar for a sweet treat!

Allergies: this is a great way to tailor your snacks to your specific needs. If you have allergies or are avoiding certain ingredients, you can find pitas or tortillas to your specifications and then make these to meet all your food needs!

Stay tuned for another hummus recipe, as well as a recipe for a Persian dip, Tzatziki, to serve along side your homemade pita chips!

Peaches & Berries Oatmeal

Hello Breakfast. I am in love.

I eat oatmeal, not because I love it, but because it's simple and because I tend to overdose on eggs. But, I should re-phrase that to "I ate"- because that is a thing of the past. NOW I eat oatmeal, because I think it's simply divine when it's topped with fresh, ripe, juicy, sweet peaches and blueberries with a hint of cinnamon! It's like having fresh, warm cobbler for breakfast... what could be better??

Directions:

Make your oatmeal per directions on the box, but add cinnamon while it cooks, give a generous sprinkle and stir. When done, dump on 1 cup fresh, seasonal ripe fruit and enjoy! No maple syrup or brown sugar is needed- the fruit adds all the sweetness! SOOOOOOO good! I can't wait 'til morning!

"Peachy Keen" Smoothie

There are 2 kinds of smoothie makers out there. Ones that follow a recipe, and ones that dump anything in and end up with a different smoothie each time. I am the later. But, I wanted to post some recipes (or ideas if you are a "dumper" too) to help you change up your flavors and make you feel a little more like "Jamba" in your kitchen!

This DELICIOUS smoothie will leave you feeling "Peachy Keen", it is so sweet, creamy and flavorful you will gobble it up in minutes.... as will your kids! There are only a few ingredients, and as always, it tastes the best when the fruit is fresh and ripe.... which is even more reason to be making them---- STONE FRUIT SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!! YAHOO!

Ingredients:

2 ripe peaches or 3 ripe nectarines

1/2 cup fresh mango, peeled

1 cup ice

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup coconut water (add another 1/4 cup if you like it runnier)

2 large handfuls of spinach

2 TBSP flax seed

** If you don't have coconut water you can substitute if for regular water and/or a splash of orange juice!

From "Peachy Keen"

to "Peachy Green!"

Directions:

Dump in your Vitamix or blender and blend until smooth!

NOTE: This is not only a good way to get your kiddos "greens" but you can also add supplements to them without them even noticing! I add Osteo-Sun to them which is a calcium and Vitamin D supplement- I highly recommend it for you and them!

P.S. I know my picture is of a kids up, but trust me, this was one of MY favorite smoothies of all times.... it's not just for KIDS!

Simple Smoothies...

I would like to dedicate this smoothie to my little friend Charlotte, who can detect kale in a smoothie from a mile away :) Ain't she precious??? This one's for you Charlotte... free of any kale (but loaded with spinach! :)

This is a really "kid friendly" smoothie, with just 3 fruits- and of course some greens snuck in there.... but you don't need to mention that to the recipient! Recently I did a post on Calcium and Vitamin D and the importance of getting essential vitamins and minerals into OUR diets and those of out kids.... so if you have a picky kid who doesn't like veggies.... try this out, and let us know the results! The recipe below will make enough for 1 sippy cup and 1 large glass for an adult or 2 sippy cups and 1 medium glass for an adult.

Ingredients:

1 banana

2 small oranges or 1 large

1 cup fresh strawberries

2 large handfuls of spinach

3 TBSP flaxseed
1 TBSP chai seed

6 cubes of ice

1/3 cup of coconut water (or juice if you need more disguising!)

Directions:

Dump all the ingredients into your Vitamix or blender and blend!

TIPS FOR KIDS: If your kid turns up their nose at a green drink- try adding 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, it will help change the color from green to purple!!! Also... try putting it in a cup that's not see-thru.

Also See Kale Smoothie Recipe: http://healthyeasyrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/02/kale-smoothie-calcium.html

Apple Spice Muffins

Ummm, do I have a new favorite muffin?? Maybe. I ate 3 the night I made them. They lasted a total of 24 hours in my house. They were a hit with everyone who tasted them. They remind me of what would happen if a spiced cupcake met apple pie.... yummmmmmmm........ that good :)

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (I used 1 cup all purpose, 1 cup whole wheat)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup coconut crystals or brown sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup apple sauce

1/2 cup butter, melted

1.5 tsp vanilla

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup chopped apple

1/2 cup shredded apple

*** I used Granny Smith apples***

Topping:

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 TBSP flour

1/4 cup brown sugar or raw coconut crytals

1 TBSP butter

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and sift. Then add your eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, apple sauce, and vanilla and mix well until all ingredients are blended. Lastly, add your apple, stirring well. Use lined cupcake tins and pop them in the oven. After 5 minutes in the oven, open the oven door and scoop the crumb some crumb topping on each muffin, close and let it cook for the remaining time. The WHOLE cooking time is 18- 20 minutes- they are done when you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean.

Mini Pita Bites

Here's a quick, nutritious, and MAJORLY tasty lunch option- it is SO SO SO great it you have kids (little fingers love little sandwiches!) but just as great for big kids too! They are perfect for a luncheon, shower, or any ol' get together where you are bringing along something to munch on! Bring them as an appetizer, for a pot luck, or serve them any day of the week for snacks or lunch- I introduce to you, Miss Mini Pita Bite. Ain't she cute??

Ingredients:

Pita Breads (I get whole wheat ones at Trader Joe's)

Your favorite flavor hummus

Lots of fresh veggies and herbs like:

• carrots
• bell peppers
• cucumbers
• bean sprouts
• sprouts
• spinach
• avocado
• fresh parsley
• fresh dill*So, recently I clued into the "mini" pitas available at Trader Joe's (verses the ones that are the size of a salad plate) and my daughter loved them because they were so "tiny!" They also leave a "star" shaped piece in the bag once you remove the 4 mini circles that are connected- so that is extra fun to dip!

Simply slice your pitas in half, open them up and stuff them full of your favorites! Enjoy!!

Personal Tortilla Pizzas...

Here's a QUICK fix for dinner, kid friendly, and great when there's not a lot left in the fridge. Super perfect for lunches, it makes a great personal pizza, and its fabulous if you have a leftover chicken breast from the day before... here we go!

Ingredients:

** There are no measurements because it is a matter of personal preference (as to how "loaded" you like your pizzas--- as well as how many you are making!***

Brown Rice Tortillas (I get mine at Trader Joe's)

BBQ sauce

grated cheese

cilantro, chopped

red pepper, chopped

red onion, chopped

cooked chicken, chopped

Directions:

Warm up your oven to about 400. Lay your tortillas on a cookie sheet, spread some BBQ sauce on top. Then add your toppings, I used red onion, red pepper, some cilantro, a left over chicken breast, and topped it off with some cheese I had on hand- Monterey Jack, but you could also use Mozerella or your favorite. Then cook them for about 10-12 minutes until the edges of your tortilla are crispy and the tops of your pizzas are golden brown. If you have two cookie sheets in the oven at the same time, switch their placement half way through the cooking time. Cool them for a minute, cut, and serve! I made these for dinner one night and the adults ate between 1 to 1 and a half tortilla pizzas per person- just to give you an idea! You could really get creative with your toppings, I think I am going to try a mushroom, zucchini, chicken pizza next! Stay tuned!

Gluten Free: These pizzas are gluten free because of the tortilla choice, the brown rice tortillas crisp up really well and are sturdy enough to hold the toppings. I haven't tried these with any other kind of tortilla, but if YOU do, let us know how they turn out! Thanks!!

Chewy Granola Bars...

After all those holiday goodies are you ready to have a healthy snack on hand?? Here's your ticket: Healthy Homemade Chewy Granola Bars, loved by kids and adults alike. Super simple to make, but heads up- they take about an hour in the oven... gotta cook them slowly to keep them chewy! This is another recipe complements of my super talent sister, Danika... love her! Thanks for sharing your recipe.... and your granola bars when we see you!

Here's a much overdue shout out & thanks for all your recipe sharing! She's great at it all- cooking, mothering, listening, being the "baby whisperer" for my friends & I, being an awesome auntie and great Granola Bar-Maker! Love you!!

Ingredients:

1 cup almond butter

3/4 cup honey

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups oats

1/2 cup raisins or cranraisins (I use half of each)

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/3 cup ground flax seed (or you can use wheat germ)

2 TBSP sesame seeds

a sprinkling of cinnamon

Directions:

Super simple. Preheat your oven to 225 then in a large mixing bowl, add your almond butter, honey and vanilla and mix until well blended. Then add your dry ingredients, mix well until it's evenly blended, sprinkle in some cinnamon and give it one more stir. Then in a greased cake pan, dump out the ingredients evenly and pat down with a spatula. Then bake for about an hour- should be golden brown on top (could take about an hour and 15- check them after an hour though). Take them out, let them cool and then cut them into granola bar sizes to your liking. Store in an air tight container to keep them fresh- Enjoy!!!

Advent Calendar...

A Homemade Advent Calendar...

So this doesn't have much to do with food, but I am gonna be a rebel and put it on my food blog anyways because I love the idea and it's super simple to make- granted, I am posting it a little late, but you could hurry and put one together and just miss the first few days of the season.... but look on the bright side, it will be ready for next year!

So, this Pottery Barn Advent Calendar (above) inspired me to make my own (mostly because I didn't want to pay $300 bucks! and because I didn't have a place to hang their contraption), but I liked the simplicity of it and thought I would make a quick, easy version of it.

I made 25 cones from craft paper by googling "paper cone templates"

Then I numbered them and punched holes in the back and strung them on a piece of twine.

So that's my version. And in each "party hat" as my daughter calls it, is a different activity or way to love and serve each other and friends, things I can do with a 2 year old to help being "others focused" during a season that can easily become "us focused". Here are some examples of what's in our days ahead:

• Bake cookies and deliver them to our neighbors.
• Buy a fun new toy and drop it off at a Local Toy Drive.
• Make play dough and deliver it to a friend. (Stay TUNED for the recipe!!!)
• Mail 2 Christmas Letters to friends.
• Make Christmas Cards for our Grammies and Papa's with construction paper & glitter.

Then there are some fun family activities and crafts as well:

• Make a Christmas ornament and hang it on the tree.
• Rent a Christmas Cartoon and pop popcorn and watch it as a family.
• Drive around a look at Christmas Lights with a special treat of your choice.
• Read Christmas Books by the fire with Daddy.

... you get the idea.... make it personal to your family and age appropriate for your kids! Just wanted to share the Christmas love.... after all it is MY favorite time of the year!!

And I just found this blog that has some other great ideas as well as a darling homemade version of a similar advent calendar.

Kale Chips

This is an idea that has been floating my head for awhile- I have had a few friends tell me about the idea and I have seen it a few times in cookbooks or cooking sites, and well, I am just now getting around to posting it! It's super easy, takes little effort, and is an easy way to incorporate dark green veggies into your diet- NOT TO MENTION that my child ate almost the whole plate herself- they have the crunch and crispy flavor of a potato chip- your little ones will probably like it too!

Raw Kale with Grape Seed Oil and Sea Salt

Baked Kale or "Kale Chips!"

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale, rinsed & patted dry

2 TBSP grape seed oil

1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:

I rinsed my kale then chopped it into 3 inch pieces (you can chop or tear it) then I through mine in my salad spinner. I removed the tough stems before putting them in a bowl with the oil and salt. Toss them well and then lay them on a roasting sheet or cookie sheet to bake for 20 minutes on 325. Bake them for 12ish minutes, then with a pair of tongs, turn them over and bake for another 8- 10 minutes until the edges are browned and the leaves are crispy. Serve them immediately as an appetizer or a side, they don't stay crunchy for too long, so gobble them up quick!

Peanut Butter Pop 'Ems

Oh my GOODNESS!!! These are divine, and if I was totally honest, are better than the "real deal" Resse's cups. They have no sugar and yet are sweet and satisfying when you need a little pick me up- just pop one in for a little bit of heaven! Thanks to Amy Flory for sharing the idea with us, we are enjoying the goodness girl!!!

The Ground Flax seed gives them some texture and more nutty flavor!

Ingredients:

1/2 cups peanut butter (use the natural kind, not Skippy)

5 TBSP ground flax seed

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 TBSP honey

1/2 cup chocolate, I use dark chocolate

** wax paper

Directions:

Your peanut butter needs to be natural because of the consistency and it needs to be chilled (room temp will make it too runny). Add your flax seed, vanilla, and honey stirring it until well blended. You might have to refrigerate your peanut butter mixture if it is too gooey to roll into balls. Once it hardens, melt your chocolate, I used a double boiler (you could also use a glass bowl in the microwave, just watch it to know when it's done and be careful because the bowl might be hot). The using a tsp sized spoon, scoop and roll your peanut butter mixture and drop it into the chocolate, rolling it around with a spatula, then setting it on the wax paper to harden. I had my wax paper on a plate, then transferred the plate to the fridge for it to chill faster. Enjoy, these are delicious!

Homemade Apple Sauce

Here's a recipe for those who have a high-tech blender, like the Vitamix or Blendtec. Now, don't think I am getting all fancy on you- it's a real no brainer- so simple you won't believe it. I came up with this the other day when I was making some delicious muffins that called for apple sauce and I didn't have enough on hand- so I made it fresh- here are the measurements if you should ever find yourself in such a predicament or if you have a hankering for some homemade apple sauce...

Ingredients:

1 apple, cored

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 TBSP water

Directions:

Blend. That's it.

*** When choosing your apple decide whether you want tart or sweet sauce- Granny Smiths, Pippins and Jonagold will give you tart sauce while Fuji, Gravenstein, and Gala will give you a sweeter sauce and are more common when making sauce. If your tart sauce turns out too tart, add a pinch of sugar or honey to sweeten it up!

Don't forget about little ones or babies- this is a great, healthy, all natural, homemade treat! I used to even boil some kale and throw it in there with it to add some greens for more nutritional value! You can disguise anything in apple sauce!

Homemade Mango Sorbet

Okay, so my hubby is the BIGGEST fruit-loving-ice cream fan in the world so for his birthday this year I thought he would LOVE this for a treat. Happy Birthday my sweet mango-loving honey!

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen mangos (from Trader Joe's)

1 can coconut milk (TJ's also)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup agave (again TJ's carries it)

** I updated this recipe after trying it a few times. I omitted the sugar (used to be 1/2 cup) and lessened the agave (used to be 1/2 cup) and I like it better this way. It has less stuff, more economical, and no sugar!

Mix it all up, put it in your ice cream maker (follow the directions with the machine) or put it all in the Vitamix for a few minutes and your tummy will thank you!

*** I have omitted the sugar in the recipe and I think it still turns out great!

Oat'Nana Pucks....

Oat'Nana Pucks...

the ingredients and mixing....

it will look crumbly like this...

pucks on a cookie sheet :)

yummy goodness all over the face!

Ok folks, stick with me here. This is a new recipe I tried off of a blog my sister in law sent me, and I really liked the idea of this "snack/cookie/granola/puck" thing. It has no sugar, butter, or cooking oil (just a little bit of coconut oil) and I thought it would be a great little something to snack on throughout the day when my "munchie" signal went off. And it turns out, it has become a fabulous little "treat" for Emery. The only "naughty" ingredient is the chocolate chips, but you could really use carob chips, raisins, or dried cranberries if you wanted to or you could leave them out all together-- but let's just be honest, that would take away from the oat'nana goodness.

Ingredients:

3 ripened bananas

2 TBSP vanilla extract

1/4 cup coconut oil (you could use olive oil if you don't have it, but coconut has such good flavor!)

2 cups rolled oats

1/3 cup oat bran or wheat bran (I used oat bran from Trader Joe's)

2/3 cups finely chopped almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

1 TBSP cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, raisins, or crans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mash you bananas with a fork and add the coconut oil and vanilla. In a separate bowl, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix them all together. Add your wet ingredients to the dry and continue to mix together until the mixture is well blended. On a baking sheet with parchment paper ( or use a little spray since there is no butter and hardly any oil in the pucks) scoop mixture onto the cookie sheet in small clumps. The mixture will be "loose" and not like dough. Flatten each scoop with the palm of your hand, hence the puck name, and place them about 1 inch apart because they will not expand when baked. Cook for 14 minutes and enjoy the goodness!

Fresh Fruit Juice Popsicles...

Happy 4th of July! Here's what we are serving for dessert today to the little ones- and to the adults that can't resist! I just juice some fruit- today's fruit is watermelon- I put it in my Vitamix for 10 seconds or so, and then pour into these nifty popsicle holders I found at Target for $3.49. Pop them in the freezer in the morning and they will be ready in a few hours! You can use any variety of fruit to make these, and you can use a juicer or blender if you don't have a Vitamix. They are great for a refreshing treat any day of the summer!

SIDE NOTE: For those of you who live in Bakersfield- Vitamix is coming to Bakersfield Costco around August 17 & 18th for those of you who have asked where I purchased mine. 

Trail Mix for Munchikins....

So, when I am on the go with Emery, I make sure to take a snack trap (love those little cups) full of something that will keep her busy when we are out. I decided to throw it all in a jar instead of making a small bowl of it everyday and I leave it on the counter for a quick go-to on my way out the door. There really are endless possibilities, so feel free to change it up- I try to keep it as nutritious as I can... Here we go:

Ingredient Options:

Raisins (Brown and Yellow ones)

Dried Cranberries

Dried Apricots (cut up into bit size pieces)

Dehydrated Bananas, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Mangos (see Trader Joe's/Lassen's/Whole Foods)

1 type of dried cereal (Cheerios, Puffins, or Shredded Wheat)

As your kids are older, you can add all sorts of raw nuts like:

Pepitas

Sunflower Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Cashews

Almonds (slivered or whole)

Pistachios

The list could go on and on! One bit of info that I want to pass on to you that my dentist told me, was to be careful when eating dried fruits. Because they are so sticky, they have a tendency to hang around and cause cavities because of the amount of sugar they have in them. For me, not a reason to avoid them, just something to take into consideration. Try to swish with water to get any remnants off and brush when you have the chance!

French Toast Sticks....

Here's a quick post I have been meaning to put up for awhile for a great kids breakfast! It's super easy and quick, and those little fingers will love having their own finger-licking stick for breakfast! 

Ingredients: (ingredients are for one serving, increase for more servings)

1 slice of Bread ( I use Whole Grain Bread from Trader Joe's)

1 egg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, crack your egg, and pour in your cinnamon, use a whisk to blend the 2 ingredients together. Next, slice your bread (cut the crust off if needed for your munchkin). Then I slice it into 4 pieces, and then let them soak in the egg mix for a few seconds, turning them over. They don't need to soak very long because they are so small. Heat your frying pan medium to high heat, add  some kind of non-stick to it (coconut oil or olive oil or spray) and place your sticks on it. Let them cook on one side until it's browned (use a flipper to peek underneath) then flip it and brown the second side! Wha-la! That's it! Serve plain or with "dipping sauce" like agave, maple syrup, or fruit sauce.

Variations: When I have over rip bananas I add 1/2 of a banana smooshed up into the egg mixture and make it with banana chunks. Emery loves this kind! Give it a whirl- you may have to scoop the banana onto the slices once it's in the pan, but it's a fun variation (the pictures above have banana in it). Another variation, add 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract for a change.