Tried and True

A few weeks ago we heard from Nicole Stone, a local acupuncturist, at one of our MOPS meetings. She talked about treating digestive issues in children, and she also shared some kid-friendly healthy recipes. 

Yesterday I made the 2 ingredient cookies she shared:

In addition to adding in some crushed almonds, I confess to adding chocolate chips to it. I just can't bring myself to call it a "cookie" if there's not something sweet in it! I was a little unsure that they would keep their shape, but they held up pretty well. And both of my boys gobbled these up, so I consider these a success!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to give them a try: 

2 Ingredient Cookies

Ingredients:

2 bananas, mashed

1 cup oats

Optional additions:

½ cup raisins

½ cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts)

1 tablespoon chia seeds

½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

*If you are adding more than one extra ingredient use

¼ cup of each

Directions:

-  Mix the 2 ingredients together in a bowl.

- Spoonful scoops of batter onto a greased cookie sheet

- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

- Let cool and enjoy

The next recipe I tried was the white bean dip. My toddler turned up his nose at it (maybe he didn't like cilantro?), but I thought it was phenomenal! (Note: add salt if you're making this for grownups.) I would have taken a picture of it had I remembered, but I ate it all in record time. Great with crackers for dip, or spread on a wrap with cold veggies inside. 

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it for yourself (and let me know if your kiddo likes it!):

White Bean Dip

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup chopped fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

3 garlic cloves, crushed or to taste

1/3 cup olive oil

1 ½ lemons, juiced

Directions:

In a food processor, combine the cannellini beans, cilantro, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. Process until smooth, or to your desired consistency. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.

Kid's Music

Do your kiddos listen to a lot of kid's music? Most of the stuff out there can drive you straight up the wall by the second first time you've heard it. It reminds me of that hilarious Portlandia episode "Squiggleman". If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a clip (you're welcome!)

If you're looking for some fun kid's music that's easy on your ears as well, I have a couple of recommendations.

A lot of people love "They Might Be Giants." They sing a lot about science stuff (preview these songs first, some talk about evolution and that may rub you the wrong way!) but they have some ABC's and counting songs too. They may be more appreciated by the slightly older kids, but I thought I'd share one of my faves from them: 

Did you know the Barenaked Ladies came out with a children's album called Snacktime? There's some super catchy stuff on there! Here's a sample:

And one that I've recently discovered is Caspar Babypants (it's actually Chris Ballew from the 90's band The Presidents!!). I'd probably even listen to this without my kids around!

What about you? Do you have any favorite kid's music?

A Beautiful Poem

Wendy Snyder was here on Tuesday, talking to us about effectively handling and preventing power struggles. It was great information and beneficial to us all! At the end of her talk, she shared this beautiful poem which I would like to also share here. I hope you are encouraged by these words!

Everyday I Have My Child to Raise Over Again

by Diane Loomans

Every day I have my child to raise all over again. 

I will build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I will finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I will do less correcting, and more connecting.

I will take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I will care to know less, and know to care more.

I will take more hikes, and fly more kites.

I will stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I will run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I will do more hugging and less tugging.

I will see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I will be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I will model less about the love of power and more about the power of love.

On Celebrating Holidays

What kind of parent are you? Do you go all out for every holiday, get your Pinterest on and craft and bake with your kids? Or do you find holiday celebrations (big and small) stressful and overwhelming? Or do you fall somewhere in between?

During my first year of teaching, I went all out for every celebration I could. Behold, St. Patrick's Day in my third grade classroom:

That rainbow was hand painted by me and my aide.

If you look closely in the top of the picture, you'll see the leprechaun traps the kids made!

I was talking to another mom friend of mine the other day, and she recounted the panic she felt one year when her preschooler came home with all of these notions, ideas, and EXPECTATIONS of what St. Patrick's Day would look like in their home. Green footprints? Yes! Gold coins? You betcha! Laying a trap? Of course!

Like many of us moms, she hadn't given a second thought to St. Patrick's day other than dressing her child in something green. As a childless first year teacher, I shudder to think of the burden I may have unknowingly placed on my students' parents!

I'm all about having fun celebrating the holidays, big and small! But only if it's fun for ME. I think we all have different levels of enthusiasm and tolerance for Pinterest-worthy projects. Maybe you're all in for every holiday. Maybe you wish we could all just dial it down a notch. 

My specialty is talking up something marginally fun/different/exciting and playing it up like it's the BEST THING EVER!

How do you handle holiday celebrations for your kids?