Tres Leches Cake

Delicious for any occasion

Homemade Watercolors

For homeschoolers, or just fun at home

DIY Toothpaste

Great for good health, and a happy pocketbook

Vegetarian Meals for the Whole Family

Even picky kids will love these meat-less dishes

Sewing Projects and Tips

Even more tutorials to come soon

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Little One Friendly Errand Food

Occasionally we have appointments "in the City", an hour away, and quite often they fall when or around when our preschooler is wanting lunch. She is not a morning person, I may as well be asking her to simply walk into Mordor if I'm gonna ask her to eat earlier. We've been getting along just great making a mini (her sized) "bento box" before we go. The secret to a perfect sized box? Using a sandwich container. I love the Rubbermaid ones. Sturdy, easy to clean, and the lids stay in shape! I effin' hate warped lids!

This lunch was a big hit, every bite gobbled up: a butterfly cut turkey and baby spinach sandwich. Grape tomatoes pre-sprinkled with kosher salt and some pepper. And a few prunes and dried apricots. {Menu-planning let me know that we were having cheese with dinner...so there's her dairy ;-) }

Tucked into another container were some mini pretzels and pumpkin seeds, with a few extras in case a big brother wanted to share. ;-) Also, a little 100% juice box.


What do you do to keep the troops fed in the car?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Spring is Getting Here





Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Let's ALL Try This!: Easiest Colored Rice


Colored rice is one of our favorite things around here for homeschool use. We play in it, we use it glued to paper like glitter, we shake it around, it's a great tool.

My long-time friend Shannon just started a blog (yay!) and she posted a great, EASY way to color rice...USING your little preschoolers! So smart! So, go check it out. =-)


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Healthier Chocolate Chip Muffins

My family cannot get enough of these muffins. Made with whole wheat flour, flax and wheat germ, I feel good letting them have them.

You will need:
  • 1 C whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 C soy flour. You can use another 1/2 cup of the wheat, but I think the soy flour adds a little bit of softness to the texture. 
  • 2 TBS ground flax seed
  • 2 TBS wheat germ
  • 1/2 sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3/4 C milk 
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 C chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, and milk are all delicious)
  • (Optional) 1 tsp orange extract 
  • (Optional) 1/4 slivered almonds
Preheat oven to 375.

Combine the first seven ingredients (up until the salt) in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly. To the center, add the egg, milk, extract(s) and oil. Fold until just combined and moistened. Fold in the chips and nuts.

Fill your muffin pan and bake 18-20 minutes. Makes 12.


 To really make them look special:When done, let cool slightly until you can handle them. Dip each top in melted butter, then in sugar. Let dry. I like to use "Sugar in the Raw" for a really gorgeous, sparkly crunch.

Wine Shopping Made Easy

(Click to enlarge)
 


Spring is here! And warmer weather is just around the corner, and with it more social and family activities. Barbecues, reunions, even Easter dinner, Spring time is a great time to share the gift of wine. Wine.com makes it easy to shop for wines by price, by rating, style, or even occasion. They also have a variety of wine clubs to choose from if you want to be adventurous and try a couple new wines a month. Can't make an event? Send a bottle of wine or a gift basket in your place. The recipient will be touched you thought of them.