These Hidden-Veggie Carrot & Orange Popsicles are the perfect healthy baby and toddler snack or treat on a hot summer day. Made with only oranges, carrots, pineapple and yogurt - no added sugar! Great for 9+ months and up! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that summer vacation starts in less then 3 weeks! I mean, there is snow in our forecast this week.. and I'm supposed to be planning all of those endless summer days?!? On the flip side - my girls are already there. School is winding down and they are jazzed for pool time, flip flops and endless popsicles! I don't have 3 months of summer plans nailed down but you bet I have my freezer stocked with popsicles! Ha! Priorities! These naturally sweetened popsicles are my girl's new favorite frozen treat! I am also in love with them because they are filled with only wholesome ingredients - oranges, pineapple, carrots and yogurt. Yes, you read that right - there are hidden veggies in these ...
dessert
Apple-Pecan Crisp (Family-Friendly)
This family-friendly Apple-Pecan Crisp is bubbling over with spiced tender apples swimming in a caramel sauce all topped with a thick layer of crispy oat and pecan crust. Serve with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream for a health(ish) family dessert. I am going to go ahead and warn you that this recipe is good, like REALLY GOOD! So good, that it is my professional recommendation that you make this delicious apple-pecan crisp when no one else is around. Not that you won't share the remaining half of the crisp with the other little mouths in your house. Pssh... we are not that mean. They will get their turn. But the first warm bite of warm spiced apples oozing with just enough caramelly richness and topped with a thick layer of crispy-crunchy oat and pecan crust - that my friends are all yours. This coveted first bite can happen in the morning with a strong cup of coffee, at lunch with a drizzle of vanilla yogurt on top, or probably ...
Peach Rice Pudding for Baby + Toddler
This Peach Rice Pudding is the perfect way to showcase the amazing taste of peaches for baby and toddler. Can be made into a smooth puree, chunky puree or served with a small spoon depending on what stage of eating baby is at. 6+ months - stage 2 baby food puree. Peach Rice Pudding... seriously people, baby food doesn't get much better then this! Rich and creamy rice pudding mixed with ripe sweet peaches, a dash of vanilla and big ol' sprinkle of cinnamon. A pudding that we will pretend is made for baby, but really it is made to be enjoyed by US! A two-for-one puree special! I drizzled some honey on mine and called it lunch. Oohhh yyyeeaaaaaa... that's how I roll. I feel like this would be great for any meal - breakfast, lunch, dinner and especially great for dessert! Then again, I have some serious love for peaches. Peach Rice Pudding for Baby + Toddler Can we all take a minute to grieve my glorious peach tree ...
Healthy Beet Pink Circus Animal Crackers
With less then 2 weeks to go before baby #2 is due [how did that happen!!!] I thought we would take today to celebrate not only my new baby that is on the way but all of our babies, kiddos and each other. There have been so many big and little amazing moments over the past year in each of our lives and I think it is important to take a minute to acknowledge them, embrace them and celebrate! We have all come a long way. Having kids isn't easy. There are days when you want to throw in the towel and be done with it all and then other days you are on cloud nine and couldn't ever imagine your life any other way. Some days you lose your temper. Some days you say things you don't mean. Some days you are not at your best. But then…. Other days you superwomen and save the day at the last minute. Other days you know just the right thing to say or give a hug at just the right moment to make everyone feel better. Other days your heart, soul and love can stretch so far you think it ...
Easy Toddler Berry Yogurt Cake
This is one of my favorite cakes, not because of how good it is because truth be told I have had better cakes in my life. And to be honest, this isn't even a cake, it is a mash-up of bread and a cake. The thing that makes this cake my favorite is that this recipe is for you and your little one to make together. We both put on our aprons and she stands on her kitchen stool, which she now knows how to pull up to the counter to be able to reach for snacks that she thinks I don't see her getting, I stand next to her and we measure, pour, giggle and learn together. Sneaking bits and pieces of all the yummy ingredients. Our first joint baking adventure! There is a mess on her as she accidentally knocks over the sugar. There is a mess on the floor when she misses the bowl completely while trying to pour flour into the bowl. These messes make me smile, unlike many of the messes we have around the house. This French recipe for the cake is so easy that they only measuring cup ...
Animal Crackers – 3 Ways [Rosemary, Dark Chocolate or Cinnamon and Sugar]
There are some things in life that will always make you happy. Some things just have that affect. A certain song. A certain lipgloss. A certain glass of wine. For me, animal crackers are one of those things. They just make me smile. Maybe it is because they are cute, and little, and have just the right amount of sweetness. Or maybe, it is because it is food that you are supposed to play with. But really I think it is because you get to bite their heads off first, smile and then devour the rest of their bodies. But animal crackers that come pre-packaged have a ton of ingredients that I don't recognize and can't pronounce. Something that doesn't make me smile. So, I found a recipe for healthy animal crackers that only has seven ingredients [not including my fun additions] made up of whole wheat, a little butter and a small dose of raw sugar. But sometimes healthy doesn't translate into making a toddler happy. I made my first batch, which was good, but they needed something. A fist ...