sneaky snacktime… and a VISA gift card giveaway!

08/31/2012 by · Leave a Comment

I have never been a juice mom. My kids drink water and milk, and are perfectly happy with both. I don’t dislike juice, I just don’t find it necessary in my kids’ already sugar-full diet.
But having toddlers and a 10 year old who are very picky about what they eat has made me realize that sneaking healthy stuff into anything I can is a good idea.
I make the boys a lot of smoothies packed with greens when I can… but sometimes I just don’t have the time. And that is where this new Capri Sun Super V drink comes in!
We all know that kids of all ages love Capri Sun… partly for the fun container and of course because it tastes good. I have never thought of it as more than a special treat though, so it has not been a regular in our house.
This new version, Super V, is full of veggies and just as tasty as the original.
And even better, I feel great serving it to my kids, the littles have no idea their fun treat is loaded with veggies, and my 10 year old doesn’t care about the veggies because it tastes so good!
It’s a win-win for all of us!!
Oh, and to make things even more exciting… I found Capri Sun Super V at my local Costco. Man, my life just got a little easier!
If you like the idea of a sneakily-healthy snack-time, make some of my No-Bake Cookie Dough Energy Bites to serve with your Super V.
The kids have no idea they are getting a healthy energy-boost, and you can feel good snacking right along with them!
Cookie Dough Energy Bites Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened or unsweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup ground almonds, ground flaxseed, or wheat germ
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut or almond butter
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. You may want to use your [clean] hands for this… it’s much easier!!
Once completely combined, roll the dough into small balls and place on a parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge or freezer until completely set before serving… at least an hour.
Store in tupperware in the fridge or freezer!

—-

Now for a sweepstakes sponsored by BlogHer for a $1000 Visa Gift Card and a $500 runner up Gift Card.

Simply comment below answering this question:
How do you incorporate fruits and veggies into your kids’ diets?

Learn more about the new Capri Sun Super V on Facebook and check out BlogHer.com to find more Capri Sun Super V reviews!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
Entries from all participating blogs will be pooled for winner selection; only two entries per household. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/16/2012-9/16/2012.

*Disclaimer: This is a compensated post for Kraft Capri-Sun and BlogHer. I was given Capri Sun Super V to try… but as usual, my opinions are mine and mine alone!

Filed Under: product reviews - kids, reviews, reviews - food ·

doing things halfway… the right way!

08/29/2012 by · Leave a Comment

I am usually an all-or-nothing kinda girl. If I’m not going to be able to finish a project, I am not likely to start it in the first place.

Perfectionism, laziness, OCD… whatever you want to call it, it’s not exactly the best way to walk through life. At least it hasn’t been for me. Unfortunately it’s a hard attitude to change overnight.

One thing in my life seems to quickly change that all-or-nothingness for me, though: having a newborn baby in the house.

If you’ve had babies, you know what I mean when I say that things just don’t get done all at once, and if I kept my ‘I’m-not-starting-it-if-I-can’t-finish-it!” attitude, we would be dirty, starving, and living in filth.

So, I do what I can, when I can. A little bit here and a little bit there.

A few dishes washed between feedings, and a few more washed later. A load of laundry in the wash even if I know there is no possible way I will be able to fold them and we will have a wrinkly mess of clothes the next day… at least we will all have clean clothes to wear!

And this part-way philosophy extends into our food-life as well. I find myself leaning towards recipes that have breaks in them, or ones I can easily adjust into sporadic steps.

Like cookies, I can make the dough one morning… scoop it and freeze it later that afternoon…

and stick in the oven whenever I want, for fresh, hot cookies in moments!

I don’t normally live like that. If I know I won’t have time to finish baking off the whole batch of cookies, I usually won’t start in the first place. But new-baby-life me is a much different being.

And these are things I need to work on incorporating into my all-the-time life. Because fresh, hot cookies are a good thing.

A very good thing.

Filed Under: mama musings, ramblings ·

Baby Girl dreams…

08/27/2012 by · Leave a Comment

Baby Girl,

You are snuggled in my arms right now after a very rough morning.

I’m not sure why you were so sad, but my heart was breaking with yours and lots of prayers were poured over you until you finally relaxed into a peaceful sleep in my arms.

I’m holding your soft, snuggly, sweet-smelling, one-month-old self and for some reason my thoughts are wandering to the future. I see a playful, rough and tumble little girl… an emotional, beautiful teenager… and a confident, mature woman… my daughter, and my friend.

I am so excited to watch you grow up into the woman God wants you to be. Not too fast, of course, but excited all the same.

I have prayed for you for so long. Ever since I was an awkward 15 year old girl, I have prayed for the daughter I would one day have. I dreamt of you often over the years, and I knew it was only a matter of time until God brought you to me.

I knew there would be brothers before you, and I am so glad God chose the ones you have for you. I know they will all take such good care of you… They already can’t get enough of their sweet baby sister!

We are going to have our struggles, you and I. We already do, in fact, but they will change and grow as you do. One thing that will never change though: How much I love you.

You, my sweet daughter, are a beautiful, strong, loving soul. And nothing you ever do, or don’t do, will change my love for you. You can’t make me love you more, and you can’t make me love you less.

I am so proud to be your mom. And someday, after we walk together through the years of childhood, teenager & young adult-hood… I pray that you will call me “friend” as well.

I love you sweet girl.

- Mommy

Filed Under: baby maren, mama musings, ramblings ·

my top 5 must-have baby items… after 3 babies!

08/24/2012 by · Leave a Comment

I was changing Maren’s diaper this morning (baby #3!) and for some reason, my mind started going through my all-time favorite baby items… that I still love and use, or wish I had found 3 years ago!

I was mostly cataloging them for myself, but I realized you might like to hear my list (I’d love to hear yours!) so here it is, in no specific order:

JJ Cole Diaper Caddy - This thing is a life-saver when it comes to changing-table organization. The carrier is amazing and makes switching up changing locations a breeze (’cause we all know diapers don’t always get changed on the changing table!). But the best part is the pad! It is a totally wipe-able plastic pad… meaning you never have to stop and changing a changing pad cover in the middle of the night or after a major blow-out. A few wipes and you’re golden!

Skip Hop Changing Station - I love love love this thing. In the past 3 1/2 years of diaper changes I have used this thousands of times. Every time we leave this house, this is with us. In fact, I used mine so often that I just had to replace it with a new one because I wore it out!! I especially love that I can grab this and take it in places with me and leave my big diaper bag in the car.

Grovia Magic Stick - This is one of those ‘I just discovered this, but I wish I had found it 3 years ago’ items. I can’t believe how much I love this thing! It’s cloth-diaper friendly (super important for us, since we use cloth part-time), and the best best part? It’s hands-free!! Yep! No hands involved in applying messy diaper cream. I love it so much and I know Baby Girl is happier since I use it every time I change her diaper because it’s so easy. Oh and I used it on 3 1/2 year old Bjørn when he got a rash lately and he immediately said “Oh! That feels better Mommy!”. From the mouths of babes!

ERGObaby Carrier - This carrier kind of goes without saying if you know us at all. I couldn’t survive Baby Land without it. Life is easier, my babies are happier, my hands are free, and my back is ache-free. All adding up to to make for a happier mom and a happier family! I used a bunch of different carriers/wraps/slings, but this one is always my favorite.

Aden + Anais Dream Blanket - This is a bit more of a luxury item, but it still lands on the Top 5 Must Haves list for me. Each of my kids has one and they are the blanket we all reach for most often. Right now Maren’s sweet cupcake and fairy one sits on the chair where we cuddle and nurse. Both of us love being wrapped up in it, and it’s generous size makes it big enough for even my big toddlers to use!

These are the few things I can’t live without in New Baby Land…

What are your must-have New Baby Land items?

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored or encouraged by anybody. These companies do not know I exist and I was not sent these products for review. I just love these items and wanted to share them with you! (I do, however, earn a few pennies if you buy these through my Amazon store - the links provided - which just helps cover my blogging/grocery bills. I appreciate your support!)

Filed Under: mama musings, product reviews - baby, ramblings, reviews, top 5 ·

pumpkin crisp

08/22/2012 by · 2 Comments

The simplicity and buttery rich crumble topping of a fall crisp, the perfection of a creamy pumpkin pie, all thrown together in a few minutes and so so good!

I have been craving fall lately like you would not believe.

Pumpkin pie, hot, creamy lattes, fall leaves, scarves, sweaters, boots, endless mugs of peppermint hot chocolate and hot buttered rums!

I could go on and on… and on… and on and on…

I really do love fall!

I think I love it so much because it’s the gateway to the holidays which are my absolute favorite. I love spending time with family and focusing on the things that matter most.

I also love getting back into the routine of school, mom’s groups, outings, bible studies and just plain fall-regularity.

Maybe it’s the weather (or lack of it, rather) that’s got me pining for fall so early this year, but whatever the reason I’ve decided to not fight it and just go with the flow.

Hence the pumpkin crisp baking in August. :o) In my defense, I am in the chilly northwest and it is cool and drizzling outside. Perfect pumpkin-dessert weather with a big cup (or 5!) or strong, hot coffee!

I may, or may not, have had this for breakfast this morning. Don’t you wish you were here to know for sure (and eat some with me!)?

Are you welcoming fall? Or dreading the loss of summer?

(Oh, and by the way… this is pretty much the perfect holiday gathering dessert! It makes a very full 9×13″ pan that would easily serve 12-18 people, depending on serving size. And it is a make-ahead dish because it tastes best cold! Win-win!)

Print
pumpkin crisp

12+

Ingredients

  • for the filling:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 (29oz.) can pumpkin purée
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 (12oz each) cans evaporated milk
  • for the topping:
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Grease a 9x13" pan and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until blended. Whisk in the pumpkin, sugar and spices until smooth. Pour in the evaporated milk and stir gently until combined. Pour this filling into the greased pan and bake for 15 minutes.

While the filling is baking, stir together the topping ingredients until moistened and well combined.

When the 15 minutes is up, open the oven, lower the temperature to 350ºF, and sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the hot filling. Close the door and bake for 60-70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and the topping is golden.

Let cool to room temperature and then place in the fridge to chill for a few hours or overnight. Serve with lots of fresh sweetened whipped cream and of course some hot, black coffee to wash it all down with!

http://sweetannas.com/2012/08/pumpkin-crisp.html

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - desserts, recipes - holiday, recipes - make ahead ·
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