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Tropical Delight Smoothie
What you need:
1 banana, sliced (either fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup pineapple, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup ice (this is optional and typically used when the fruit you are using isn’t frozen, if you are using frozen fruit, it usually is plenty cold and you won’t need the ice)
What to do:
What is your family’s favorite smoothie?
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Written by Contributing Writer, Kari at Living Strong, Health & Wellness
Snack time!
Personally, I’m not a big “snacker”. I can go meal to meal without needing any extra food to keep me going. Although, having a family, I need to have a plan on hand for our meals and snacks and then I need to make sure they are ready and available to eat!
My kids, on the other hand, seem to need a snack every 30 minutes. I can understand why since they are on the go, non-stop, active kids. This can present a problem when you are wanting to feed your family healthy foods that nourish the body. Unfortunately, the quick and convenient, grab and go processed options you find on the grocery store shelves don’t make the cut for me. It’s hard enough to make sure they have nourishing and healthy lunches everyday – then to add in snacks to mix, that means more creative ideas are needed!
I know it would be easier to go this route, but I’ve spent too many years building a strong foundation of health in my family, this is one area I don’t want to skimp on. This means I need to be creative in the kitchen when it comes to snacks.
I have a long list of snacks that we rely on, but one of our favorites are these Nut Butter Bites! The kids love helping with them as well – which I think makes them even more enjoyable. Kids love helping and being a part of creating the food they eat.
These amazingly healthy bites are a great snack for my active kids and only a couple are needed for them to feel satisfied. Packed with protein from the nut butter, a healthy source of energy from raw honey, good and healthy fat from the coconut and extremely low in sodium – you can ‘t go wrong with these delicious treats! They are more like a dessert than a snack. That’s always a plus!
To top off these already great nut butter bites, roll them in sucanat (unrefined cane sugar), shredded coconut, cocoa powder or mini chocolate chips (we like Enjoy Life! allergen-free brand). Hands down, these are healthier than any overly processed and refined ‘snack’ you can get off a shelf.
Sure, there’s a few minutes of time involved, but isn’t your family worth it? Of course they are!
Along with many other healthy snacks, appetizers, beverages, main dishes and desserts, this recipe can be found in my cookbook, Real Food. Real Kitchen. So Good! I hope you and your family enjoy these as much as we do!
- ½ cup organic natural peanut butter (no added ingredients, just peanuts) or nut butter of choice
- ½ cup organic raw honey
- ½ – 1 cup organic unsweetened coconut, finely shredded
- ⅓ cup organic mini dark chocolate chips, soy-free (we like Enjoy Life! brand, allergen-free)
- sucanat (unrefined sugar) for rolling the bites (other options: you can roll them in coconut, chocolate chips or cocoa powder)
- In a medium size bowl, mix the peanut butter and honey until combined thoroughly.
- Add the chocolate chips. You can add more or less according to your taste (I always add the larger amount).
- Add the coconut in ¼ cup amounts until the consistency reaches a thick, yet semi-sticky state.
- You don’t want it so sticky that you can’t roll it, but you don’t want it so dry that it wont hold together. Find the happy medium.
- Once you are able to roll them and they still have some stickiness to them, roll into balls and then roll in the sucanat.
- Place on wax or parchment paper on a baking sheet or plate.
- Refrigerate for a while so they can harden up a bit, transfer to a glass jar and keep in the fridge.
What is your favorite healthy snack?
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Written by Karen @ To Work With My Hands, Contributing Writer.
It’s a battle every mother faces: getting the children to eat – and enjoy – healthy food.
“Start from the very beginning” – so much advice says. And while that’s true, it doesn’t guarantee success. As they grow and taste new things, see new things, and are in situations that give them opportunities to eat stuff that is downright bad for their bodies, a little creativity is needed to keep them on track.
My family still has plenty of room to improve, but I have found a few ways through the years to get my children in the habit of enjoying healthy food.
How I Teach My Children to Enjoy Healthy Food:
Make if fun:
This works especially well with the younger ones. If food is cute and fun, they’ll tend to eat it. And after they eat it several times, they usually find that they enjoy it.
Ideas:
- One of my favorite snacks to make for my oldest son when he was small was celery carts. A rib of celery filled with natural peanut butter with raisin passengers and carrot wheels was his very favorite snack.
- Try making a cuddly slice of toast by topping whole wheat bread with natural peanut butter and using bananas and raisins to make a cute bear face and ears.
- Teach your children anatomy while they get a healthy dose of veggies with a human skeleton tray.
- Serve cut fruit or veggies in colorful paper cupcake liners, or if your children are old enough, thread them onto plastic skewers.
Make it different:
Getting my children to enjoy fresh fruit has never been a problem, but even with a favorite food, it can sometimes get a little boring. A small change in presentation can make a big difference.
Try:
- As long as they were old enough to handle them, my gang has loved frozen grapes.
- Simply slicing an apple in a different way or using a spiral peeler/corer to slice apples makes things fun and prevents boredom.
- And who says watermelon has to be served in chunks? How about sticks or balls?
- When we have leftover smoothie from breakfast, I pour it into popsicle molds and they have a sweet – and healthy – afternoon treat.
- Our basic homemade pancake batter gets rave reviews with the younger set when a pancake is poured in each child’s initial.
- Make a boring sandwich special simply by using cookie cutters to cut the bread into favorite shapes.
Offer a healthy dip:
If they can dip it, they’ll eat it! One of the older boys discovered that they enjoyed sliced cucumbers dipped in red wine vinegar. Guess what? All the little children now eat cucumbers that way – and plenty of them.
Recipes:
- Homemade hummus is so easy to makes and is a fun dip for veggies or crackers, or a smooth spread for sandwiches.
- Find a few new homemade salad dressing to try, and offer them for dipping veggies or meat instead of commercial dressings and sauces.
Make it attractive:
If it looks inviting, it will attract their interest and attention. Yogurt parfaits are a fun and pretty way to get some health food into their bodies. Homemade yogurt and granola, along with some fresh fruit is not only good for them, but the varied textures and colors provide plenty of eye appeal as well.
Let them choose:
I have one son who gets totally excited when he finds out we’re having homemade instant oatmeal for breakfast. Off he goes to pull out all the jars of dried fruit, variety of nuts, cream, maple syrup, raw honey, and homemade vanilla extract. Having a buffet of healthy options to choose from gives them plenty of choices and they love the variety spread before them.
We do this with pasta salad and taco bars too. When all of their options are healthy, I don’t mind them picking and choosing what they’ll include on their plates.
With a little imagination, it’s easy to make healthier food choices appealing. Before you know it, your children will be creating their own healthy spins on mealtime and treats.
If you’d like more ideas, visit my Pinterest boards: Good Food, Snacks and Fun Foods.
What tips do you have for teaching your children to enjoy healthy food?
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I guess it’s because of the catchy “Let it Go
But really, it doesn’t have to be extremely elaborate or cost a lot to have a fun FROZEN party.
My tip: DO NOT try to reinvent the wheel, there are soooooo many ideas out there, and that’s exactly what they are for, for you me to USE!! 
I thought I’d share with you what we used to make our daughter Julia’s 6th birthday party magical!
The Invitation
I have always loved online invites.
I usually use evite but this time I used punchbowl since they had a Frozen themed invite. It’s really easy to use, just type in the info you want. And it’s free and easy to keep up with all the RSVP’s. Plus you can email right through the site to all the attendees for any updates or even reminders.
The Schedule
I always write up a tentative itinerary to use as a guide, it usually doesn’t go exactly in the order I initially come up with, but it helps me to remember everything we need to do.
The plan went a little something like this:
- 2:30- When guests arrive, I had planed to do this little scavenger hunt (but before the party started, I ran out of time getting everything ready). Instead, kids ate some snacks, hung out and started on the craft.
- 3:00- The special guests arrive, meet & greet, a story, games and photo ops. (you’ll read more under other sections below)
- 4:00- Serve the cake and open presents, enjoy time together
- 4:30- Birthday party is over, clean up
The Decorations
I think simple is better AND a lot cheaper. When I was searching, I thought easy ideas like paper chains and coffee filter snow flakes would be the way to go.
The night before the party, my kids had fun making some of the snowflakes.
To save time, I bought one 2-pack of white streamers to use instead of paper chains. And I got a few frozen- themed balloons!
I used blue plastic table clothes, metallic tissue paper, and snowflake doilies
The exception, the silver fringe curtain some photo ops. (From Oriental Trading)
The Craft
I have always loved to include making a craft instead of giving away a party favor- which quite honestly just gets lost or goes in the trash soon after.
At least a craft can be kept for a little while with special memories of making it.
I found these snowflake necklaces on Oriental Trading and I thought all the kids would love to make their own. We had a station set up and a couple different times during the party, two kids at a time got to make them.
My husband and another dad helped in the beginning then later Elsa and Anna. I think the kids thought it was neat to work with the queen and princess.
The Food
At kids’ parties, I think it’s important to have some food, whether it’s a full meal or snacks- that’s up to you. We served chili at my son’s Lego party, and everyone loved it. This time, since the party was in the afternoon, I decided a few snacks would be perfect.
There are so many free printables offered on several sites to create fun food scape. I didn’t have any card stock so I just printed the ones I chose out, then, laminated them. (I use my laminator for certain things we do for homeschool, so I quickly pulled it out and used it, it only took about 5 minutes)
There are a kazillion different food ideas to choose from but here’s what we had:
- Olaf noses- carrots with homemade ranch
- Arendelle ginger cookies
- Coronation celery and peanut butter
- Sven’s popcorn
- Kristoff’s pretzels
- Frozen Hearts- white chocolate covered strawberries
- Olaf’s summer lemonade
**I used these Frozen labels from Posh Tart Parties. All of the containers either came from the dollar store or came from my kitchen cabinets.
The Fun
What would a party be without fun?
Besides all the decorations, the craft, the food and games, there was an even BETTER idea! Two high school gals dressed up as Elsa & Anna…… score!!!
I had seen a post on one of the local garage sale groups on facebook from a mom whose daughter and her friend were earning money by coming as the characters and participating in all the fun. I didn’t know what to expect but it ending up being absolutely fabulous!
The plan kind of unfolded as the party got started but everything went smoothly. I’ll tell ya a little bit about it:
When all of Julia’s friends arrived, they got their snack and a couple kids started on the craft. I had asked a mom to let me know when the special guests arrived. Once they did, I had the kids finish up their snacks.
Elsa and Anna rang the door bell and I told Julia to go see who is was. When she looked out the door, she was in shock. She waved her hand for me to come. I went over and said excitingly , “Wow, Elsa and Anna have come to see you and celebrate your birthday!” The gals came in and ALL the kids were in amazement.
Queen Elsa and princess Anna read the Frozen inspired book A Sister more like Me. Each gal read her part. A few of us moms couldn’t believe how quiet all the kids were.
Once the book was read, the gals talked with the kids, then it was time for some photo ops. It was funny because when I asked who wants to take a picture with the princesses, one of the little boys raised his hand and he was first in line lol.
After it was time for the games (you can read in games section) then finishing up the craft. And of course you can’t have a frozen party without singing “Let it Go”.
Lastly, we sang Happy Birthday to my princess Julia, enjoyed cupcakes and then she opened her gifts. Before we knew it, it was time for Queen Elsa and Anna to go. We walked them out and waved goodbye. It was so, soooo much fun.
And I’ll take it as a huge compliment, when Elsa’s mom, who accompanied the teen girls told me before heading out, “this was the most organized party I have ever been to.” If you know me personally, you know I am last minute type of person, so that was such a nice compliment to me.
The Games
We played two games. Limbo and Toilet Paper Olaf.
For limbo, I simply unscrewed the broom from the stick and tied on yellow streamers. Elsa and Anna held the stick, the music played was “In Summer” from the Frozen soundtrack and went until there was a winner.
Next we played Toilet Paper Olaf.
Toilet Paper Olaf Game
Supplies:
For each pair or team, you’ll need a bin with a roll of toilet paper, a scarf, a cap or hat and 3 paper buttons with tape already attached, taped to bin. *Optional- paper carrot, also with tape on backside.
How to Play:
- Line up kids, tell every other kid to come on one side, then to find a partner. (You can choose teams how ever you would like to, that’s what I did)
- Then explain to the kids they are to make a toilet paper snowman/Olaf and must use things provided, be sure to show the supplies (I would not recommend telling them they have to use the whole roll of toilet paper)
- Choose a judge
- Give them a time limit. I played “Do you want to build a Snowman” from the Frozen soundtrack twice
- Once song is over, the judge can choose a winning team
- Have fun!
Both games were fun and easy. I had purchased a few $1 items from Target for the winners.
The Cake
As always, the cake, or shall I say cupcakes? Y’all, cupcakes are so easy. And I have used the same cupcake stand I got at hobby lobby with the 40% off coupon for years and years.
I ordered the pictured white cupcake wraps from Oriental Trading and used these and these free printables for the toppers. (I printed them out, laminated them and taped them to toothpicks)
I used this natural cake mix (in the chocolate and vanilla flavors) and my friend made a delicious vanilla butter cream frosting made with Kerrygold Pure Butter
.
Side note: I am ever thankful for my awesome friend Christina who came to help me out!! She is SUCH a blessing and has such a servant’s heart!!
The Elsa Dress
On the invitation email, I had invited all the friends to come dressed as a princess (or superhero for the boys) and a lot of the girls did come dressed in you guessed it, Elsa.
And of course Julia wanted an Elsa dress too.
My mom made this beautiful one and she sells them on her Etsy shop.
To end this Magical Frozen Birthday party post I have a question for you… Would you like to win an Elsa dress for your little girl?!? You have a chance to win one because she is actually doing a giveaway. Go here for all the details!
It was a MAGICAL party! Julia absolutely loved it!
Some more resources:
- For some extra fun, check out this Frozen Slime recipe
- These Popsicle sticks snowflakes are a fun decoration
- Here are some fun Frozen photo booth props
- I mentioned Oriental trading a few times, they always offer Free Shipping on Orders Over $49! Use Code: OTC757
- Amazon has tons of Frozen party supplies
and Frozen gift ideas
*post contains affiliate links, see disclosure here
What are your best birthday party tips? Do you have a Frozen fan in your house?
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But before I even got pregnant, almost a year ago I shared with you about an Easy To-Go Healthy Snack Mix. We had been working on snacks in our family and still are somewhat. We want our kiddos to be eating their meal at mealtime so we have slowed down on the snacking in between meals.
Even if you are in the same boat, wanting to cut back or limit snacks there are still some healthy choices to choose as snacks. Take a look at this list compiled from Mama’s from the Alternative Living Network.
2013 Best Snacks from Natural Mama’s:
Sweet Snacks
Oatmeal Chocolate Cookie Bites
Fruit Sweetened Chocolate Popcorn
Crackers & Chips
Fruits & Veggies
Find this Easy To-Go Snack Mix here!
Another recipe you might like is an oldy but goody from 2012: Homemade Ranch. Great with some veggies for an afternoon snack.
Check out all the other ‘Best of 2013’ posts:
Best Homemade Beauty Recipes on Your Thriving Family
Best Pregnancy and Birth Tips on Growing Slower
Best Pregnancy, Postpartum and Breastfeeding Tips on Feed Me Mama
Best Salads on Richly Rooted
Best Soups on Your Thriving Family
Best Homemade Bread Recipes on The Entwife’s Journal
Best Main Dishes on Whole Intentions
Cultured Food and Beverages on Nourishing Faith and Family
What was the BEST healthy recipe you tried in 2013?
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Or since you can’t find a healthy sweet treat, instead of grabbing a piece of fruit you grab some crackers or chocolate. I have found myself there many times and then regretting the decision later.
Not that chocolate or crackers are bad, unless you keep grabbing handful after handful or breaking off more and more chocolate… Ahem. So, these easy cocoa almonds are a great alternative to choosing crackers or chocolate. These provide you with a crunchy, chocolate-y taste you’re looking for. And your kids will love them too!
All you have to do is plan ahead, which is something I am working on at the moment. It only takes about 20 minutes, hope you enjoy!
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| Yes, I realize they’re in a reindeer bowl, lol! |
What you need:
2 C almonds (or nut of your choice)
1/4 C sweetener (I used real maple syrup but you could also use stevia and water)
2-3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
dash of salt
What to do:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place some parchment paper over a baking sheet and set aside
- In a small pan, heat sweetener and salt over medium heat
- Turn off heat, then add the almonds, stir until they are completely coated
- Spread the almonds on the parchment paper and bake for 10-15 minutes
- Put the cocoa in a paper bag then pour in baked almonds and shake until covered, let them cool
- Enjoy!
What’s your favorite healthy treat?
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