Healthy, gluten free snack

On one of my missions to bring back some tasty new snacks home to the kids,  I found organic crispy rice cereal bars made by Envirokids in peanut choco drizzle. The bars are also gluten free and made with brown rice. I have to say, the brown rice is what sold me. They are actually pretty large in size and equally satisfying....I ate one on the way home! The kids also approved and both finished theirs. Definitely not your average cereal bar. I bought them in Wild by Nature. Try them for your picky little eater.

Pumpkin Pankcakes!

As I noted earlier, I'm obsessed with pumpkin ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! I picked up pumpkin pancake mix on my last trip to Trader Joe's and I'm so happy I did! They are sooooo good! As soon as my daughter tasted them she said "yum mommy, these are pumpkin flavored!" Both of my kids ate them up. My quest to get in as much pumpkin stuff as the season allots has expanded with these tasty little hotcakes! If you want to go a step further, you can always cut them into pumpkin shapes using the pampered chef cutting set I also mentioned previously. Bon appetit!

Get them while you can- seasonal item

Breading trays make life easier

I'm sure like most of you, I have a hard time finding time to prep food and to cook it. Between my demanding four year old with endless questions and my demanding 2 year old that always wants me to "picky uppy" its a near impossibility!. I purchased these breading trays that come in a set of 3 from Williams Sonoma. They make breading chicken cutlets SO MUCH easier. I don't even mind breading them anymore. I pre- bread them and then store them in the last tray wrapped in clear wrap. I then stick them in the fridge until I'm ready to bake or fry them. One less thing to do when dinner time rolls around. They were a little over $30 but I promise you they were worth the money. Pampered Chef also sells them (not in stainless steel) for a lot less money.

Easy, healthy snack

Not only are Trader Joe's organic apples healthy, they are also made in the great USA!! I really love buying products that are made in America. They come pre-sliced.  How much easier can that be? The bag is also resealable- super smart. My kids and I snack on these delicious slices all day. I also pack them for my daughter's lunch in a snack size Ziploc that always comes back empty! They come at a great price of just $2.99 per bag!!!

Snacking on them as I blog right now!

Peanut free "peanut butter"

When I discovered my daughters Pre-k classroom was a nut free environment, I knew I was going to have to dig deep to find things for my already fussy 4 year old to eat. I explained my situation to the manager of Wild by Nature while food shopping, and hit the mother load when he told me he had a peanut allergy himself. He suggested trying I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter. He said if my daughter didn't like it he would refund me. I was a little sketchy but I tried it. I made a P B & J on whole wheat and cut them into little hearts with the pampered chef cutters I mentioned previously. Both of my kids ate the "peanut butter" without saying a word! I sent her to school the next day with a note to the teacher explaining that it was peanut free. I am so happy to have come across this product and that my kids both really enjoy it.

Looks just like peanut butter & jelly!

Thanksgiving must!

During this time of year, I flock to anything and everything pumpkin flavored!! I love pumpkin coffee, pumpkin muffins, I even bought pumpkin cream cheese the other day (didn't love it) ! The one thing that keeps me going back for more is Trader Joe's super premium pumpkin ice cream! I'm not sure if I'm so into all the pumpkin-ness because its seasonal (which this ice cream is) but whatever the reason, I am getting my hands on this ice cream while I can! This is without a doubt a Thanksgiving staple in my house. The girl at checkout suggested topping it over pumpkin pie for the one-two punch but I haven't tried it and not sure if i want to!! I'm scared I'll love it just as much as the ice cream alone and why ruin a good thing? Please do yourself a favor and try this- my 4 year old even loves it!

Served in a keebler waffle bowl

Pasta with 1 full serving of veggies that kids will actually eat!!

Like myself, I'm sure many of you out there are always trying to get veggies into the bellies of your children- NOT an easy task! On my last food shopping trip, I came across Barilla Piccolini wheels with zucchini and spinach. This enriched zucchini and spinach pasta blend offers ONE FULL SERVING OF VEGGIES!!! I will warn you, they are green in color- something I was worried about. Once I mixed the mini rotelle with sauce, I could hardly see the green color and my kids didn't notice at all!!! They also have mini farfalle with tomatoes and carrots and mini pipe with carrots and squash. I haven't tried the last two but plan to. I feel so much better serving my kids pasta that have a full serving of veggies!! I hope your kids enjoy it as much as mine do!

Kids also enjoy the miniature size!!

So happy with my Name Bubbles- definitely a great buy!

My 4 year old started Pre- K in September and everything has to be labeled. I didn't want to write in all her clothing or her backpack. I googled away and came across Name Bubbles. I was apprehensive because I never thought the labels would really wash well...well, I was wrong and I'm happy I was!! I bought the Pre- K package. It comes with enough labels for everything and then some. I even use the shoe labels for her ballet and tap shoes. I have labeled all of her jackets, sweaters, backpack, lunchbag and shoes!! I have washed her jackets quite a few times already and the labels have held up really well. If you want neat labeling that stays intact, go for Name Bubbles....worth every penny.

Many color and design options to choose from...& It's fun too!

I just read this article- 10 things not to say to your childfree friends!

A friend of mine (without kids) just posted this article from Parents magazine on facebook. I dont think its meant to be funny but I did find myself laughing at some of the dont's listed! I have without a doubt said "this must be birth control for you" to many a childless friend!

Perfect snack for when your on the go!

Revolution Foods make these yummy, organic yogurt filled sandwich bars called Grammy Sammy. They come in three different flavors that are each equally delicious. Cinnamon graham & vanilla yogurt, cocoa graham & banana yogurt (my personal favorite!) and honey graham and strawberry yogurt. They are made with 100% whole grains and have no high fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients or transfats. I bought them at Wild by Nature but they are sold in many places including Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. These are great to throw in your bag on your way out with the kiddies. I even snack on them!! They really are good and satisfying.

This hat will warm your heart!

My best friend recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. As I was looking for a gift for the new bundle of joy, I came across this amazing hat on Etsy. This is great for professional pictures or pictures taken at home in those first days home with a new baby. I'm so upset I didn't see this when my son was first born! Search children's accessories.

 

Slippers that double as a toy!!

When I brought these CARS slippers home for my son, he was cracking up at them and couldn't wait to put them on! I found them in Payless. They are absolutely adorable when he wears them- or plays with them!!