Posts by admin:
- Oatmeal Cereal Single-Grain
- Multi-grain Cereal
- Oatmeal & Banana Cereal
- Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana Strawberry
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely ground
- 10 clear stevia drops
- 4 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 cup Gerber Multi-Grain Cereal
- 1 1/4 cups 0% Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Gerber Lil' Bits Oatmeal Strawberry Banana Cereal
- 1 cup frozen mixed fruit
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Coconut Nectar
- 15 clear stevia drops
- 1 Tablespoon gelatin
- In a food processor, place the walnuts and Gerber cereal, coconut oil and stevia drops.
- Only process until the nuts are coarsely ground, not finely ground.
- Place mini muffin liners in a 24-count tin.
- Add 2 teaspoons of the nut mix and press filling into the bottom of liner.
- In the same food processor, place the yogurt through the gelatin and blend well until smooth.
- Add 2 teaspoons of the yogurt mix into each muffin liner.
- Top each mini tart with a frozen berry of choice and chill in freezer for about 45 minutes and enjoy.
- Leave in freezer to enjoy at own leisure.
- 2 cups corn masa flour (like Maseca)
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- vegetable or coconut oil for cooking
- 10-ounce container of Sabra Chipotle Hummus
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 cup white button mushrooms, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup queso fresco or feta cheese crumbles
- Sour cream
- store-bought balsamic glaze
- In a large bowl, combine flour, water, salt. Mix thoroughly until forming soft dough.
- Preheat an cast iron pan or griddle over medium heat.Drizzle with 1-2 Tablespoons of oil.
- Divide dough into 8 equal-sized balls. Press each ball between the palms of your hand and flatten to discs 3″ in circumference.
- Cook each disc for 3-5 minutes on each side until each side begins to look slightly golden.
- Place on a serving plate and cover with cloth napkin to keep warm and soft.
- In a large non-stick pan, heat pan to medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add the diced vegetables and spices and cook for 7 minutes making sure the zucchini stays bright green and not mushy.Add the queso fresco into mix.
- Take one sope and add about 2 Tablespoons Sabra Chipotle Hummus.
- Top hummus with 1/4 cup of veggies and cheese and drizzle with sour cream and balsamic glaze.
Chilean Travel Adventures with Baby (Part One)
June 14th, 2016
Chilean travels are definitely an adventure especially when traveling with a baby. I share how I survived and how I made it work through small hiccups through our 5 day trip. Thankful for my Catbird Baby Pikkolo baby carrier & Chicco for helping me travel safely with my 10-month old daughter.
Surprise trip
Back in March my husband surprised me with an airplane ticket to Santiago, Chile to see my grandfather, who I had not seen in more than 15 years. It was the best gift I had ever received for my birthday and I was excited and nervous! As I started to mentally process my trip, 2 weeks later I found out that my grandfather had suffered from a heart attack and I would not be seeing him again. I was SO saddened and confused. I had planned to travel with my 10-month old daughter and introduce her to my grandfather. While it was a shock to receive such news I had to decide what to do. Luckily I had been able to chat with him a few days before he died.
Two months later, after much debate, worry and concern, I decided to travel any way. I knew my grandfather would have loved for me to still go and learn about the country and to see where my father grew up. Most of my nerves revolved around the unknown. Going to a place I knew nothing about AND also traveling with a baby. Many encouraged that it would be great, so I went with my third daughter for a quick 5 day trip while my husband stayed with our older two girls.
Traveling SOLO with an infant
I tried planning ahead like ordering bulkhead seating on my airlines and ordering a crib for my hotel room, which was advertised online on the listing. Always be prepared for hiccups because there were several for sure!
Airplane and bulkhead seating ended up being a great spot because I had plenty of space. Baby girl could crawl on the floor but it was not great because one of the airplanes washed the floors with a cleaner which meant I was not able to let my baby crawl lest she become soaked in chemical.
Bassinet on the airplane. My 10-month old proves to be TOO long when it came time to lie her down for her bedtime. I liked the idea of flying at night so that we kept the baby’s schedule but my daughter was used to her crib, no lights, no sounds and being flat. Wow, she was a particular one, but I guess we trained her well? I ended up holding her in my CatBird Baby Carrier to sleep so I could sleep without dropping her. On the way back I could not sleep so I help her.
Hotel room ended up NOT having a crib as advertised. The owner translated the wrong word on his listing and he meant he had a baby seat for eating purposes, which at the end of it, he really did not have that either. We ended up sleeping in a queen mattress which was lower than usual and I placed her in bed and she zonked out pretty much every evening. I did not rest AS peacefully knowing that she could move around and possible fall but pillows assured me of a soft landing IF that happened. It never did so I am thankful it worked out.
Come to find out that I booked a hotel a street next to my cousin’s house whom I had not contacted yet until the day I arrived and the B&B owner and my cousin knew each other well. Small world!
Sightseeing
I think there were many factors involved with this trip. By the second day my daughter was literally telling me she was all done with the trip. My husband and I had trained her to sleep her naps and bedtime in her crib but we thought that transitioning into a baby carrier and in a stroller would be painless. Boy was I wrong. She was not a happy camper napping in either place. While she DID nap in the stroller, she was done by day three and hardly napped and instead, bellyache.
While we were both up by 7am, we were out of the hotel by 9am ready for sightseeing. Since my 10-month old is 22 pounds, I did not start with baby wearing so I could save my back. She went into my Chicco umbrella stroller for the first half of the morning. Within an hour, she would fall asleep and be awake in 1 to 1.5 hours later depending on the type of activities were doing.
We took the metro (subway) to several parts of the city. There were men and women willing to help but I was glad that there were elevators available. When the baby was cranky I would wear her to give her a different perspective. It was often short-lived but we worked through it. I love baby wearing but I have to admit that I have used more stroller than carrier. I am THANKFUL I had the stroller.
In Retrospect
I traveled as lightly as possible. I had one large luggage stuffed with a small luggage with 2 pairs of pants and tops. Despite the opposite seasons I knew I was going to be warm wearing a baby and also pushing a baby around in a stroller. She was my extra layer. Since I came back with souvenirs, the small luggage ended up being my extra bag on the way back which worked out well.
It was a WHIRLWIND of an experience not only traveling to South America for the very first time but also traveling alone with a baby. I guess I can say I have survived and conquered, right? I definitely needed a few days to recoup.
Stay tuned for another post on what I saw on my trip and what I ate! Thankful for a thoughtful hubby who gave me the most wonderful gift even though it was an adventure. We all need that some time in our lives.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you choose to purchase from my links I will get a small percentage which helps this site grow little by little. Thanks for your support!
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A Quick Chai Latte for a Busy Mom
May 25th, 2016This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review.
A nice little surprise wrapped so beautifully enticing me to open and try. The new TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods beckoned to be prepared immediately, and quickly did I obey. As I inserted the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® Pods into my Keurig®, I could hardly wait to have my first sip.
It is a rare moment when I can get a hot cup of anything with three little girls ready for the day to begin. You know it happens to you too! You have all the intention of having the first sip and your babies are seeking for answers, breakfast, or even some cuddle time. Who can deny them, right? For that reason I take advantage of having my choice cup of goodness when nap rolls around. As of recent, I have been enjoying TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods with my Keurig® which has been perfect for the constant rainy afternoons.
My husband can easily attest that I am a tea addict but I rarely can make a choice when it comes time for a cup. When I go out, I rarely have chai tea because they are usually too sweet or they just do not meet my expectations. I have sometimes have had the intention of making my own chai mix and forget about making it.
In less than 30 seconds I had my first chai using the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods. What a great way to allow me to explore a world of flavor from the comfort of my own home with the creamy blend of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and vanilla flavor. Steeped in 5,000 years of Indian history, chai is a black tea blend that’s part sweet, part spicy, and totally unexpected. It definitely is the perfect blend of sweet meets spicy.
I simply loved the milk and honey envelope that comes in the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods box which then blends in smoothly. The sweetness was subtle and it was MY ideal blend of black tea, spices and milk. I enjoyed my first cup with a few thin cookies as an afternoon indulgence while my girls slept.
While I always catch up on work during the nap time, I took some time to simply enjoy, relax and savor the hot drink while I could. Since then I have been enjoying it every afternoon, including tasting the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods. My opinions have not changed. Glad to know that well-known people like Padma Lakshmi enjoy tea and chai. These two things have always been a part of her life and she is just as excited to celebrate the flavors of chai with TAZO®.
Want to try something other than cookies with your chai? Padma Lakshmi developed recipes that pair perfectly with a cup of chai and you can find them by visiting TAZO.com/chai/pairings. I totally want to dig into these Baked Figs with Manchego Cheese. YUM! Find where to buy TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods at TAZO.com/wheretobuy
How would you enjoy some TAZO® Chai Latte?
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Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts + $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway
May 23rd, 2016Baby food is no longer just for feeding babies but it is also a great substitute for delicious recipes for your family. These are great options for my baby and for my fun cooking experiments. My Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts are great treats for your family.
This is a project with The Women Bloggers and Kendal King Group and is a sponsored post with #SoapboxInfluence project
Time flies when you are having fun. Actually, time flies when you have three little girls that are dependent on me and my husband. How much of a blessing it is to have the responsibility to nurture, feed, clothe, and educate our little ones. It is daunting but amazing at the same time.
Since becoming a mother, one of the exciting things for me to see is the transition my girls go from nursing to eating real food. In fact, the challenge is always present to prepare the healthiest and best meals for my girls.
Baby-Led Weaning
When my third daughter was ready to eat solids she was very vocal and I was real surprised that at 5 1/2 months, she wanted to start eating solids. She was keenly aware that her sisters and her parents were eating something different other than breast milk. It was amusing to watch. I started with a few fruits like banana and avocado and then added the cereals as time went by. Recently, Wal-Mart came out with four Nestle Gerber Cereals that helped with transitioning my daughter to eating solids:
As I started feeding my daughter, I also started getting ideas to create recipes with these cereal options especially when she started using her hands to grab. I love that Gerber’s believes that breastfeeding provides the best possible start for babies. They offer prenatal guidance and products to aid moms in each stage of life, especially having products that have healthy ingredients and ensure developmental appropriateness.
My little girl quickly, I mean, quickly transitioned from baby cereal and food to solids, so my challenge quickly approached to start making different recipes for her. Not only did I make fun recipes for her but also for my toddlers and for me and my husband as well.
Baby cereal for the whole family
Baby food for the whole family? It is iron-fortified which is key to healthy growth and development and also has a blend of six B Vitamins, Vitamins E and C, iron, zinc, and calcium called Vitablocks. I used the Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana and Strawberry Cereal to make my girls pancakes which ended up being a great hit. I also made some smoothies and added the Multi-grain cereal for a great healthy breakfast.
Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts
One of the recipes I made that was lots of fun were these Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts. Not only were they great treats for the whole family, but they were also great for breakfast. I was glad to know that my family was receiving healthy treats with added benefits. These mini tarts have two layers of goodness using two kinds of baby cereal.
The nut crust has some of the multi-grain cereal and the frozen yogurt layer has the Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana Strawberry cereal which was pretty much a smoothie placed on top of the nut crust. These were so easy to make and yet healthy, delicious and fun for the whole family.
How to Use
Are you intrigued? I suggest trying the Gerber Cereals at dinner time with Meatballs, Burgers, or even Meatloaf instead of the regular breadcrumbs. Go to Wal-Mart and choose your favorite cereal, then go visit Gerber to read more about their cereals. There are also many recipes to try in addition to mine.
Giveaway
In addition to this yummy recipe, enter below for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Kabrita Goat Milk Products for Toddlers #MomsMeet #KabritaUSA
May 18th, 2016When my girls turned one and were almost completely weaned, I had a hard deciding if I wanted my girls to start drinking dairy. Since I knew I was lactose-intolerant, I knew that there was a possibility that the girls would be sensitive to it. I alternated with them having organic whole milk with Vitamin D with almond milk. Let’s just sat that I grew up with dairy being kind of frustrating evil for my gut so I was not happy giving it to my girls.
Even so, I was always on the look out for dairy (milk cow) alternatives and I had heard of goat’s milk being a great one. I never had the chance to get a hold of any so I stuck to nut milks for my two older girls. While they eat yogurt and cheese, milk has never been the go-to option for my family.
I recently had an opportunity to test and try KABRITA premium goat milk products through Moms Meet as an ambassador. I was excited since I learned that it could be a good solution for children with cow milk sensitivity [*not for a confirmed cow milk protein allergy]. I received some toddler formula and goat milk and fruit pouches so that I should share with my daughters.
From what I had read, I learned that goat’s milk is naturally easy to digest. Cow milk sensitivity may cause symptoms such as colic, constipation congestion, digestive discomfort and eczema. I know my oldest daughter suffers from eczema and often gets colds if I have her on too much dairy. I have not had her tested but try to feed her clean and healthy foods as often as possible.
FACTS about KABRITA Goat Milk Formula
KABRITA Goat Milk formula has a mild, sweet and fresh taste and smell and is a safe, effective and nutritious alternative to homemade goat milk formula recipes. It is a nutritionally enhanced goat milk formula with 22 vitamins and minerals including folic acid, DHA, ARA, and iron. Supposedly KABRITA’s playful, happy goats are raised on family farms in the Netherlands and graze naturally on fresh grasses. The goat milk formula is free from antibiotics, growth hormones, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.
My opinion
I did not like the flavor NOR did the girls. I made them smoothies using the powder and I made the milk by adding water and neither time did they like the taste or flavor. My girls are very opinionated and are not picky eaters so for them to leave something behind, I believe them. I actually tasted the milk and was turned off by the flavor and aftertaste. KABRITA Goat Milk Toddler Formula retails for $21.99 for 14 oz. and $41.99 for 28 oz. Personally I did not like certain ingredients in the formula, but you are welcome to make your own decisions and try the product yourself.
FACTS about KABRITA Goat Milk Yogurt
KABRITA Goat Milk Yogurt and Fruit is all Natural, easy to digest and available in three delicious flavors! It contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and no added sugar or water. According to the site, it is a good source of Vitamins C, D & E, also containing protein and fiber. It is also non-GMO project verified and available in convenient, easy to squeeze BPA-free packaging.
My opinion
KABRITA Goat Milk Yogurt and Fruit was received a lot better with the girls. I refrigerated the pouches and had them choose which flavor they could taste. It was hard to try anymore since we only received THREE pouches. Does not give a lot of options there but even so the initial opinion is that the girls enjoyed it. CONS? It is more of a drinkable yogurt than thick yogurt.
The girls had to be REAL careful not to let go or to not squeeze to hard or else it would come pouring and making a mess. I totally could not see taking these on a road trip because the impeding mess would be horrible. These pouches are pricier than the regular pouches with other brands that contain yogurt. It retails for $2.19 for 4 oz. and a 6-pack retails for $11.99.
Prices can vary by retail location. • To find a retailer near you, visit the store locator at kabritausa.com/store-locator/ Readers can receive 20% off KABRITA products on kabritaUSA.com using code MM2016. Include this in your blog post and share on social as well! Hurry, offer ends on June, 30 2016.
Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program (greenmomsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.
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Spicy Mexican Veggie Sopes for National Hummus Day
May 13th, 2016
Just when you thought all holidays had been celebrated, and then here I bring in a fun one. Yes, May 13th is National Hummus Day so why not enjoy today with your favorite container of Sabra Hummus for your #UnOfficialMeal or Snacketizer (Snack + Appetizer). This is a sponsored post with Sabra,
Many people might not know it but my husband definitely knows that if someone were to ask me where I would like to go to eat for dinner, I usually will say I feel like eating Mexican. My husband has to anticipate this by telling me that he does not feel like eating Mexican food. Usually though, he goes with my consistent craving and we visit our local Mexican food joint
While hummus is not really considered Mexican, there are flavor components that easily can make it so. Chickpeas, or garbanzos, are consumed many ways but not usually as a dip. Even though I have tried to go through all Sabra hummus options, I get stuck on my favorite ones and forget about the variety available.
Refried beans are typically used in many Mexican dishes especially in sopes, which are fried masa or corn dough discs that are thicker that corn tortillas. They are usually topped with refried beans, veggies, meat and topped with salsa. They are usually offered as appetizers or antojitos in Mexico but I like them for lunch sometimes too!
What works nicely is that an antojito literally means “little cravings” and are small meals enjoyed in between the main meals of the day so you can technically consider them as an #UnOfficialMeal, a campaign that Sabra is sharing all over social media. Our family is always all about the unofficial meal because my girls are growing and they are constantly hungry so healthy snacks are necessary.
Back to sopes though. As I was creating this appetizer, I almost did not have a recipe to share because my husband almost ate my fried masa but he reminded stopped himself because he knew I prepared them because I am always having a Mexican food craving. While that was kind of him, I otherwise would have been out frustrated that part of my recipe was consumed!
Instead of the typical refried beans component, I used Sabra’s Chipotle Hummus as the base and then made a typical calabaza or typical sautéed squash mixture to go layer on top of the hummus. While one sope might seem a lot for a little snack, two is okay to have. Protein packed snacks are healthy and delicious and great for the whole family.
Feel free to substitute your own Sabra hummus flavor for the base of the sope and tell me what you like best. Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper would make a great combination as well. Either way, celebrate today with your favorite flavor and with a loved one and enjoy National Hummus Day!
Here is a coupon for you at www.sabra.com. Coupon available only on 5/13 (midnight to midnight EST)
Ingredients
Instructions
