Straw-ba-ba-ba-ba-berry!

What kid doesn't like strawberry milk?  When I was a child, I remember one of my favorite things about a trip to grandma's was the noxious-pink colored powder in a can that we stirred into our milk.  For a healthy makeover using real food, try making this with your kids. 

The Tiny Tarts give this a two thumbs up seal of approval.  It's healtly, quick, and the kind of snack that they can make themselves with a bit of supervision.  Don't forget the garnish!  Kids really like it when they feel like their food has received the special treatment. 

Strawberry Moo

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces 1 % milk

4 strawberries, plus 2 for garnish (3 ounces total), rinsed and tops removed

1 1/2 teaspoons raw honey*

Reserving two strawberries for garnish, add all remaining ingredients to a blender.  Whip up until frothy.  Divide into two glasses, garnish each with an additional strawberry. 

*Honey is not considered safe for children under the age of two.

Recipe makes two servings:

Nutritional info calculated by ingredients and is deemed close but not accurate. 

Healthy Hands in the Kitchen

While working on this week's SERVING up a SMILE: Shall We Shop? I took two kids grocery shopping (no school due to snow). We used the label-scrutinizing piece as a sort of home schooling and the girls were instructed to look for snacks that had five ingredients or less.

Our oldest daughter asked how many ingredients went into homemade applesauce and a bag of apples was promptly put into the cart. While explaining that it could be made with apples alone, we did put a pinch of turbinado sugar and some cinnamon in these. At the end we threw in some orange zest for good measure (orange zest goes in, well, everything!).

"What should I do with the skins?"  Not a point to ponder with a little sister on the cleanup committee.  Later we may live to question whether or not the three year old digestive system can handle the skins from four apples.

Snack preparation also promotes teamwork because the faster we get it done, the faster we can eat!

Ready for the stovetop.  We did add about 1/4 cup of water to this as the apples were a little dry. 

How is it girls?   I think they liked it :-)

Much More Than Busy Work

I had the opportunity to purchase a new-in-box Easy Bake oven today for $7.00. It was a holiday overstock sale and considering they seem to run around $30 (and up) it was really tempting to pass up. I always loved my Pepto-pink child size oven.

Something kept me from doing it. It wasn't even the fact that we have more than enough toys or that I have this cranky chip on my shoulder over all things made in China being intentionally designed to fall apart. I think what really swayed me was the idea that it was my girls who had wanted to begin their own blog.

On New Years Eve, as they busily rolled their coctail weenies in dough, I began to snap some pics. My oldest remarked, "Cool, this can go on our blog."

It also comforts me that these girls are learning real life skills (and having a blast while doing it). I have my mother to thank for my love of all things food. Hopefully I am making mama proud to be passing this along to them.

Hard at work.

Careful placement.

Keeping a close watch.

Front row seats.

Discussing finished product.