Books to Belly: We're Going on a Bear Hunt & Trail Mix

The kids and I love a good trail mix. We make our own, mixing in our favorite healthy snacks. We make a big batch that's easily accessible- a great solution to grabbing a quick, healthy, satisfying snack on the go. You can even pre- bag it. We keep it simple by mixing up a granola, a nut, chocolate chips, and organic freeze dried yogurt bites. While making our latest batch, it reminded me of one of our favorite books, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. It was the perfect pairing with our trail mix.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury is about a family going on a hunt for a bear. On each page the family has to overcome different obstacles they come across in order to continue their hunt. As the family encounters each obstacle, they describe it by using sensory descriptions such as; long, wavy grass, a deep, cold river, thick, oozy mud, a big, dark forest, a swirling, whirling snowstorm, and a narrow, gloomy cave. By using a range of descriptive vocabulary, the reader can imagine themselves on a hunt. 

After reading the story, the kids and I threw on our jackets, grabbed our trail mix and set out for our very own hunt! Of course ours was not for a bear, so we completed the part of the story that is repeated throughout with our own animal we were hunting!

We're going on a squirrel hunt.
We're going to catch a big one.
It's a beautiful day!
We're not scared. 

Trail Mix

• 1 11oz bag of KIND or Bear Naked granola (I find the clusters bigger & easier to grab than other granolas-best for little hands)
• 1 bag of Happy Family Happy Yogis (look in the health/organic aisle in your supermarket)
• 1 cup of Hershey's mini milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup of cashews, almonds or nut of your choice

Happy hunting!!

Pure Barre

Pure Barre Experience

I've been a member of a gym since the age of 19. I go hard, then fall off the workout wagon at times! I'm like a yo-yo gym go-er! I was excited when Pure Barre opened in Oceanside to try something different and to mix up my usual spin/ weights and cardio routine.  The studio is absolutely beautiful and private. I like that passerby's cannot look in! It's so clean and the staff is warm and welcoming. I didn't feel intimidated at all. 

There was a good mix of woman in the class I took. There were both big and small, young and old. Using light weights and a small ball, Amanda (who was an AMAZING instructor) led us through exercises consisting of small isometric movements. I liked the use of the ball- I felt it aided in focusing on the area we were working on. We also positioned it behind our lower back during the ab portion of the class and it was just the support I needed. 

There were some parts of the class that I found difficult. Not a can't breathe- I'm going to pass out kind of difficult, more of a burning, shaking difficult! Some of the movements were hard for me to perfect but I believe that will come with time and practice. The instructor corrected my form a few times when I couldn't make my body do what my mind was telling it to! A beginners class is highly recommended. 

I was sore for a few days after the class. My ass hurt in places that haven't in all my years of squatting! This is a GOOD thing ladies! My abs were sore, also a very good thing! The old exercise motto, "no pain, no gain" promises greater value rewards for the price of hard or even painful work…Pure Barre delivers!

If you're looking to tone up for summer, Pure Barre is for you. I believe with consistency and determination, you can transform your body practicing Pure Barre techniques. Give it a try. I took one class and I cannot wait to go back again, sore ass and all! 

Visit Pure Barre of Oceanside at 3563 Long Beach Road/ Sands shopping center (516) 766- 0465 and mention Secrets of a Momaholic for 15% off any purchase by 3/31/14. Use coupon code OceansidePB. 

Chocolate Covered Pretzels - in 10 minutes!

There are so many things you can do with these chocolate covered pretzels- besides eat them! They literally take 10 minutes from start to finish! Max helped line up the pretzels on the cookie tray. I asked him to make a pattern with the vanilla and chocolate. My little sous chef was very proud of himself!

Ingredients

• 1 bag of pretzel tiny twists (I used Rold Gold)
• 1 bag of Wilton candy melts in light cocoa
• 1 bag of Wilton candy melts in vanilla
• Wilton micro heart sprinkles

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°

Line up pretzels on a cookie sheet (parchment paper optional)

Place chocolate in the center of each pretzel

Put the pretzels in the oven for 2 minutes

Remove from oven and sprinkle on hearts

Let stand for 5 minutes

I wanted to give Valentine's Day gifts with a homemade twist, especially since Max helped make them. I bought mini ramekins and filled them with the pretzels.

I made some extra to use as cupcake toppers for Chloe's Valentine's Day party at school. She was very excited to sample one when she got home yesterday!

For the time these yummy pretzels take, the possibilities are endless. My friend Kelly first introduced them with M&M's in the center of the chocolate! I could not stop eating them! I filled a large mason jar with the extras…I'm sure they will not last very long!

                      Happy Valentine's Day!!

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

These chocolate dipped marshmallows are so simple to make- my 4 year old even helped make them! Unbeknownst to him, his didn't make the editing cut! This made for a fun afternoon with the feel of an edible arts and crafts activity. If you plan on dining in with your family this Valentines Day, this is the perfect interactive dessert you can make with your kids.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of jumbo marshmallows
• 1 12 ounce bag of Wilton candy melts in light cocoa (I melted 1/2 the bag)
• Wilton micro heart sprinkles
• Pink and white sprinkles
• Paper straws
• Wax paper

Direction:

Melt the chocolate following instructions on the bag. 

Line the counter with wax paper.

Push the straws into the marshmallow- do not push straw through the top.

Using the straw, dip the marshmallow in the chocolate while spinning it. 

Sprinkle desired amount of sprinkles on the melted chocolate of each marshmallow.

Lay on wax paper and let chocolate harden (20-30 minutes).

I purchased all materials except the jumbo marshmallows at Michael's. Find the jumbo marshmallows at your local supermarket.

Makes 12 marshmallows