Banana Muffins & The Birthday Boy

This past weekend we celebrated my sons 2nd birthday! Time moves fast and then your kids are all grown up.  I am really taking advantage of the tender moments that we can share in a simple way.  When my oldest child turned 1, I planned her a pretty large and energetic party with 20 guests, a number of large gifts and a price tag that should not have been considered.  I think that party was just for me! I must admit, I have grown wiser.  For the third child, on his 2nd birthday, I baked banana muffins, (and I am not much of a baker from the photo) purchased one gift and kept the celebration simple and sweet.  Happy Birthday my sweet son!

We love Thomas!!

Now, for the banana muffins!  This is a very simple and tasty recipe.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup of organic sugar
2 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1 stick of butter (soften)
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
2 tablespoons of vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS
Cream together flour, sugar, eggs and butter.
Add the mashed bananas, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Mix well.
Add mixed batter to a muffin pan.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
Cool and ENJOY!!

"...We Will Make Cupcakes." Her Words to a Stranger

Although this was a blog prompt from yesterday, I still wanted to create a post to honor this topic chosen by the Mom Bloggers Club.  On yesterday, my mind could not think of a time my child really said something embarrassing to another person.  But today, my mind took me back to almost 5years ago.  (I know its crazy considering I have two toddlers that always say crazy things but I think of something that occurred 5 years ago with my oldest child.) Don't judge- just keep read.  

I was a single parent living in Houston, Tx.  At this particular time, I was planning an event for a small group I was leading at my church.  Now, I would talk to an ex-companion from time to time.  But nothing serious came from that relationship.  Let's call him Mr. Waterman.  So Mr. Waterman decided to donate bottled water on behalf of the water bottle company he worked for. 

Mr. Waterman conveniently delivered the water to my home.  We played the role of not knowing one another and just keeping it strictly business in front of my child considering she did not know him. He was a stranger to her.  Therefore,  Mr. Waterman made a simple delivery.  This is how it went:

"Hi, Ms. Vargas.  I am here to deliver the water for your event,"Mr. Waterman said while placing the water by the front door.  

"Thank you, Mr. Waterman," I replied with a smile.

"Okay, have a great day," Mr. Waterman responded, while my daughter tugged on his jacket. He looks down toward her.

She looks at him with a straight face and says, "My daddy is coming back and we will make cupcakes."

Wow, I thought to myself.  At this time, CC had not seen her dad since she was really small.  We divorced when she was a year old.  He was currently living in Europe and we were in Houston. Yes, he on the other side of the world.  But this little girl knew that someday her daddy was coming back home.  I did not create this thought in her mind but she made it clear to Mr. Waterman.  At the time I was slightly embarrassed but I am sure he was even more embarrassed.

Although the statement was embarrassing it was true.  Just shy of two years later, my daughter was making cupcakes with her dad and we were married again.  

Some embarrassing things that kids say can also speak the real truth!!! 

I sure love me some cupcakes now. 

What are so outlandish things your child has said to a stranger? Was it the truth? Please share!

Deceptively Delicious- Jessica's Secret to Cooking for Kids

You all know I love all things food.  I am a big foodie! So when my kids refuse to eat their vegetables I am lost and really don't know how to recover.  Do I make them sit for two hours? I really don't have patience for that method.  Do I cook different meals? Absolutely not, I am not a short-order cook.  Why does this have to be so difficult? When I was a kid, I had no problems eating.  Put it in front of my face and I was going to eat it along with your food.  I have always loved food.

So,  I realize I am going to have to bite the bullet and purchase the Deceptively Delicious cookbook byJessica Seinfeld. Yes, the wife of the very funny and talented Mr. Jerry Seinfeld. My great friend has been raving about this book because she was able to prepare dinner meals and even desserts packed with vegetables for her kids. My denial would not let me fly out and purchase this little recipe of secrets.  I wanted to believe my foods were very tasty but my kiddos' pallets were just not mature enough to recognize savory- delectable- meals.  Jessica found a creative, savory and deceptive way to coerce secretly persuade her kids into eating their veggies- she purees the veggies and hides them in different meals. According to her introduction, the kids have no idea! They are fooled. GENIUS!  A great way to enjoy meals that are yummy and packed with a healthy secret…SHHHH.

So, I will purchase the book and try a few meals.  Of course, I will share the verdict with all of you.  Confidence is brewing right about now; I think this will secretly encourage my kids to eat their veggies.  (Doing the happy dance right now!)

Source

You can purchase Deceptively Delicious @
Barnes-N- Nobles.com
Amazon

Do you have any creative strategies when it comes to getting your kids to eat healthy? Please share!

Easy Meat-full Rice Dish

Hi All, this dish is so good and easy to make.  I am a big meat eater, as you can see! This is a great dish to pair with veggies on the side.  My kids eat this up! Try it and let me know what you think.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups of rice
1 pack of turkey sausage
5-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 pound of shrimp (no tail and deveined)
3 minsed garlic cloves
1 chopped yellow onion
1 chopped green bell pepper
chopped green onions
3 tablespoons of canola oil


INSTRUCTIONS
1. Boil rice in water until tender.  While the rice is boiling, season chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat the 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a skillet and brown the chicken thighs.
2.  In a large pot heat one tablespoon of canola oil and  sauté the chopped garlic, onions, and bell peppers.  When vegetables are caramelized and chopped sausage, chicken, and shrimp.  Cook until shrimp is fully cooked.
3. When the rice is  fully cooked add meat, veggies and mix.  You can add a little more salt, pepper and garlic powder for an extra kick.  Top the dish off with green onions and mix!  Enjoy!!

Easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Hi all! Yummy cooking time!!   To cut down on the quick and unhealthy drive through excursions, we opt to prepare healthy easy homemade chicken nuggets.  We used boneless chicken thighs for this recipe because we love dark meat.  You can also use boneless skinless chicken breast- they tend to hold the nugget shape a little better.  Try this recipe and pair with a fruit or mac-n-cheese! It is yummy! And we seal it with a Super-Duper Easy star rating.  Enjoy!!!

 Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cooking Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Chicken breast
1 tablespoon Tony's Chacheres Creole Seasoning  (Or salt and pepper)
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cut the chicken into cubed pieces and season with creole
    seasoning (or salt and pepper) and garlic powder.
2. Place bread crumbs on a plate and coat each cube in the breadcrumbs.
3. Place the chicken nuggets on a pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Cubed Raw Chicken!! Not appealing but gives you an idea of the size.

Raw Breadcrumb Coated Chicken!!

Difficulty of Recipe: