tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89097672107876673192024-03-18T23:56:20.075-04:00Picture Me CookingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-54323161153704930642010-10-20T19:01:00.003-04:002010-10-20T19:07:43.820-04:00Hello!<strong>Just wanted to let you all know Picture Me Cooking has moved.</strong><br /><br />So if you happened to be a visitor (thank you!!) using our old .blogspot address please continue visiting us by going to <a href="http://www.picturemecooking.com">www.picturemecooking.com.</a><br />You can Like us on Facebook or follow us (as recipesforkids) on Twitter for all the latest goings on.<br /><br />Once you visit the new site, just click on the RSS feed to update your reader.<br /><br />Thanks and we look forward to lots of fun, education and tasty times together with you and your families!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-71822668126012919442010-10-13T09:14:00.005-04:002010-10-13T09:28:22.047-04:00Edible Eyeballs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHdGdW98PrTiPEwVwMSM7Xr6dkfvEU5kvKawNw9FG3FTyjEL_7LAUm254K9FVJ2JOgQoIn3JjEh2YPJ-XHDjplY0QogwmmtxIMwixyG5TvLw8uXwEaEtCPm_pRHozOOhFvSi8UyHX2j_/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aHdGdW98PrTiPEwVwMSM7Xr6dkfvEU5kvKawNw9FG3FTyjEL_7LAUm254K9FVJ2JOgQoIn3JjEh2YPJ-XHDjplY0QogwmmtxIMwixyG5TvLw8uXwEaEtCPm_pRHozOOhFvSi8UyHX2j_/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527520909920207490" /></a><br />I love bringing kids imaginations to life! <br />Years ago for my son's Halloween birthday party I was looking for a way to make edible "eyeballs" on the table a way that kids would actually eat and enjoy, I knew those little people were NOT touching an olive lol! So, I added a twist on those pretzel snacks that were showing up at holidays, turning them into "eyeballs" and the kids have loved it ever since...I mean all the kids...My sons class is always asking him to make them and bring them in! My children both have severe nut allergies to both tree and peanuts - so we make most of our treats at home.<br />Your kids will have a blast making, eating and sharing these!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEprPk4Y8-k9XhvFl8gMwACRflV2sVAgOLB_61eXWqJJX2uNTSN0I5W7WUNg1ZqTUm7Da2XdW7DH9dMbHZph0eJUsnXXy_k3-_dk7cIMV8yQbT7P5vioi98kud_FMcrEZ1nUY7E01ix2xE/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEprPk4Y8-k9XhvFl8gMwACRflV2sVAgOLB_61eXWqJJX2uNTSN0I5W7WUNg1ZqTUm7Da2XdW7DH9dMbHZph0eJUsnXXy_k3-_dk7cIMV8yQbT7P5vioi98kud_FMcrEZ1nUY7E01ix2xE/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527521107801661794" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Eyeballs</strong><br />round or square pretzels<br />white chocolate disks<br />chocolate chips<br />red jimmies<br /><br />On a baking sheet, place pretzels in a single layer. Put one white chocolate disk in the center of each pretzel. Place in a 350 degree oven for approx 3-4 minutes or until chocolate is shiny but not melted or falling through the pretzel. <br />Remove from the oven and sprinkle with red jimmies. Invert one chocolate chip in the center of each disk. Cool in your fridge or cold garage for 20 minutes and they will remain hard until ready to eat. They keep well for a week in a sealed container.<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-58785765103062094452010-10-13T09:07:00.004-04:002010-10-13T09:13:31.655-04:00Culinary Term of the Week<strong>Cream</strong> - Many recipes tell you to cream butter and sugar. <br />That means you need to use softened butter, add in some sugar and either with a spatula, whisk or mixer work or beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and fluffy. Creaming the two together merges two separate ingredients into one, it will have a totally different color and texture.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-61510028406898641752010-10-07T12:01:00.008-04:002010-10-07T12:35:43.272-04:00Family Dinner Night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9a6kjThkuC9Y5EKVuW1ZG9XR7w60_pgdIc9XKoG2aAQ26EZP6vDHyMakl3yVWblDRuC8aR1SxDDKWh-AEViP5qHK6X9gyl1Whycmh5jzLI1JI8vb1AMeW1nnOnr_Ed703oYwhAOCrWc2/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9a6kjThkuC9Y5EKVuW1ZG9XR7w60_pgdIc9XKoG2aAQ26EZP6vDHyMakl3yVWblDRuC8aR1SxDDKWh-AEViP5qHK6X9gyl1Whycmh5jzLI1JI8vb1AMeW1nnOnr_Ed703oYwhAOCrWc2/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525343186636611058" /></a><br /><strong>Fall makes me think of warm and wonderful family dinners!</strong><br /><br /><em>How about planning a family dinner night where everyone is unplugged and focused on the task at hand...making dinner, then enjoying it as a family.</em><br /><br />Plan it out in advance, who will be responsible for what...<br /><br /><em>Are the boys in charge of dessert while the girls work on the main course?</em><br /><br />Assign out what everyone is responsible for from 2 to 92 everyone can play a role!<br />Once you sit down for your wonderful dinner, have each person talk about what they did to contribute..."Jenny...how did you make that dessert?" "Michael, I just love these string beans, how did you make them?" Can't you just see their little backs sit up a little straighter and their chests puff our while eyes sparkle??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH2NIddmXlhb7Av_OnIcYjZHhpZTUb07tMf5HJbg1oYZPll2AVeqlrYlFJxhtnih1z-YSqaEUgtEduULg8_N32pCq0Et2porAdB3_e7piADkibW8fwExHW1R6Kl1VwIq1lKG8XDM_NGP5/s1600/DSC_4032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH2NIddmXlhb7Av_OnIcYjZHhpZTUb07tMf5HJbg1oYZPll2AVeqlrYlFJxhtnih1z-YSqaEUgtEduULg8_N32pCq0Et2porAdB3_e7piADkibW8fwExHW1R6Kl1VwIq1lKG8XDM_NGP5/s400/DSC_4032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525343561691813474" /></a><br />Here is a family favorite, it usually please everyone, pair it with some white rice or roasted potatoes and a salad or try our wonderful <a href="http://picturemecooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/salad-cups.html">Salad Cups</a> recipe for extra fun!<br />If you want an easy dessert - how about <a href="http://picturemecooking.blogspot.com/2010/08/creat-your-own-cones.html">Decorating Your Own Ice Cream Cones</a> for use with purchased ice cream or sherbet - so fun it's a craft and a treat all in one!<br /><br />Mark your calendars now for <strong>YOUR</strong> Family Dinner Night and I am sure in no time this will be a monthly event in your home too!<br /><br /><strong>Chicken Francaise</strong><br /><br />4 chicken breasts<br />1/2 cup light olive oil<br />2 garlic cloves, minced<br />1/2 cup flour<br />1 teaspoon paprika<br />salt and pepper to taste<br />3 eggs<br />1/2 stick butter<br />1/2 cup white wine<br />1/3 cup chicken stock<br />2 TBS lemon juice<br />2 TBS chopped parsley<br />thin lemon slices for garnish<br /><br />In a pie pan or bowl, combine flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.<br />Lightly whisk eggs in a bowl. Set aside.<br /><br />Make the sauce<br />Melt butter over low heat in a small saucepan add in chicken stock, wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Stir frequently and reduce sauce by about half - about 6 minutes. Add in parsley and set aside.<br /><br />Pound chicken breasts in a large Ziploc bag one at a time.(I use a rubber mallet that has been keeping me company in the kitchen for years. A couple of whacks with it is all you need) until about 1/4 inch thick. For thick breasts you can also halve lengthwise.<br />Dredge chicken breasts one at a time in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.<br />place on a plate for a few minutes until ready to cook.<br />Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Don't allow it to smoke.<br />Add in the garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Immediately begin dipping chicken breasts one at a time into the egg, shake off excess and place in the pan. Saute about 3 minutes a side until golden brown.<br />If necessary quickly warm sauce. Plate chicken, place lemon slices on chicken for garnish, pour sauce over and serve. <br /><br />Happy Cooking!!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-25172842436780386112010-10-05T19:23:00.004-04:002010-10-05T19:29:38.125-04:00Our First Junior Chef Spotlight Winner is...<strong><a href="http://picturemecooking.blogspot.com/2010/08/junior-chef-spotlight-clarissa.html">Clarissa</a>!!!!</strong><br /><br />Congratulations Clarissa!<br /><br />We hope you enjoy the $50.00 gift card, let us know your choice...the Toys R Us Card or the Barnes and Noble Card...Enjoy!<br /><br />For all you other kids out there who like to cook, we still have room for 4Th quarter Junior Chef Spotlight Features, you could be our next spotlight and possibly a winner!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-86887826848129830562010-10-01T09:08:00.005-04:002010-10-01T10:26:14.664-04:00Pumpkin Muffins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23XElwgG57X7TwWWaaBzvnTcxnBwZ3DjITMoKzD2oW903mpXMOUAPVMG-gyq0VdDTDzi_KuRIhtU9ZiQMJjYFj9BlRiqMWgIh06xrYvdRh_KE3Xu5koLWzxAOkJHceVphwS9-rMRrBwsa/s1600/DSC_0087a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 366px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23XElwgG57X7TwWWaaBzvnTcxnBwZ3DjITMoKzD2oW903mpXMOUAPVMG-gyq0VdDTDzi_KuRIhtU9ZiQMJjYFj9BlRiqMWgIh06xrYvdRh_KE3Xu5koLWzxAOkJHceVphwS9-rMRrBwsa/s400/DSC_0087a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523068317159161170" /></a><br />When you think of fall one of the first images that pops in most minds right behind colorful falling leaves is a pumpkin!<br />Pumpkins for decorating, pumpkins for carving and pumpkins for everything from pancakes to pies, to breads to soups! What a versatile vegetable pumpkin actually is!<br /><br />Besides versatile, pumpkins are an amazing source of vitamins and minerals too.<br />The amount of Vitamin A in a pumpkin is staggering...the vitamin A will help keep your eyes healthy! Pumpkins are also a source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, manganese, copper, riboflavin (a B vitamin), iron, folate, B6, niacin and more! Whew that is one hard working vegetable!<br /><br />Ever roast your own pumpkin? If not try....squishing cooled roasted pumpkin between clean hands, preparing it for use in breads, cookies, cheesecake or muffins is great fun! Save the seeds too you may just want to roast them to enjoy later!<br /><br /><strong>Roasting a Pumpkin</strong><br />To roast your pumpkin cut your pumpkin in half...right down the middle...side to side of "the belly" area as my daughter calls it, so the top is intact and the bottom is intact. Place face down on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes (it depends on the size of pumpkin used).<br /><br />Check it, if it is all mushy they you are good to go...if not in it goes for another 15 minutes. Keep roasting until perfect. Once pulled from the over, just let it sit as is for 30 minutes to cool, then scoop out the seeds (reserve for another use, and scrape all that beautiful pumpkin out leaving 2 "bowls" of pumpkin skin...which we have let dry, then filled with decorations for fall/Halloween. Wonder if many, many years ago these were used as bowls??<br /><br />Mash your pumpkin with a potato masher or have fun doing it with your clean hands and place in a plastic bag until ready to use..keeps in the fridge for a few days or you can freeze it for later use.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMmjVkYSdKDkPmjMByOuH4CnRCZBWUGzt9K5HWwm6xia55mFinUY2mrV3zgKwSzkIP-ATmrfEI6Fgj0s_OH5OhU9X5FgE0zbiJqK3zlwjl7duYmeSzrZEJFEuJVywOEOoYw1jw8zeN7N-/s1600/DSC_0004c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMmjVkYSdKDkPmjMByOuH4CnRCZBWUGzt9K5HWwm6xia55mFinUY2mrV3zgKwSzkIP-ATmrfEI6Fgj0s_OH5OhU9X5FgE0zbiJqK3zlwjl7duYmeSzrZEJFEuJVywOEOoYw1jw8zeN7N-/s400/DSC_0004c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523081275985453874" /></a><br /><br />You know fall is here in my neck of the when the orange and black Sweetzle cookie boxes start taking over the end caps in the grocery store. <br /><br />You can make these with a topping like I did or just make them plain. You could throw a nice whipped cream cheese frosting on them, decorate for fall and call them cupcakes. You can also make them with a sweeter topping more resembling a crumble if you really want something, sweet, sweet, sweet!<br /><br /><strong>Pumpkin Muffins with Oat Crumb Topping</strong><br />1/2 c butter<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1 1/4 cups cooked pumpkin *(1 small/med pumpkin)<br />2 TBS brown sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1 1/2 cups flour<br />1/2 cup crushed Halloween cookies I use Sweetzles (orange and black box)<br />1 tsp baking powder<br />1/2 tsp baking soda<br />3/4 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1 tsp vanilla<br /><br />Topping<br />1/3 cup flour<br />1/3 cup oats<br />2 TBS brown sugar<br />1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />4 TBS butter<br /><br /><em>*You can use pumpkin puree in place of roasting a pumpkin...if you do roast your own pumpkin, just add 2 TBS brown sugar to the 1 1/2 cups of roasted pumpkin you will be using for this recipe.</em><br /><br />Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add in pumpkin mixture or puree and eggs and beat until incorporated. In a food processor, blend about 12 cookies until smooth crumbs, set aside. In a medium bowl add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and cookie crumbs, whisk until combined. Add dry ingredients to your batter and blend until combined.<br /><br />Fill your muffin tin - either using cupcake liners or greasing your pan well.<br /><br />In a small bowl combine topping ingredients, cut with a pastry blender or large fork or your fingers until crumble, sprinkle over muffins.<br /><br />Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until tester inserted comes out clean.<br /><br />Enjoy!!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-11094604288659079992010-10-01T09:04:00.004-04:002010-10-01T09:07:58.678-04:00And the Winner is!!<strong>Congratulations to MMMgoode!!</strong><br /><a href="http://www.todayiatearainbow.com/">Winner of the Today I ate a Rainbow Kit!</a><br /><br />Please send us an email using our contact button with your mailing instructions and enjoy!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-35287165653508104642010-09-27T22:53:00.008-04:002010-09-27T23:29:47.662-04:00Doughnut Muffins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwM5dnLX02ZUT_JFF97derEAuh_22g0bv9KfrBl9lT0scQfbBNJm_hrmIYGQNhD2wsSUOYO-EFyFRrmZjd6xXn5Vqdin19KbtIU3vgatsPbv2cxV0ztGSTtCd0L0mSpbJr5u-lhiZrCRd/s1600/Doughnut+Muffins.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwM5dnLX02ZUT_JFF97derEAuh_22g0bv9KfrBl9lT0scQfbBNJm_hrmIYGQNhD2wsSUOYO-EFyFRrmZjd6xXn5Vqdin19KbtIU3vgatsPbv2cxV0ztGSTtCd0L0mSpbJr5u-lhiZrCRd/s400/Doughnut+Muffins.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521799021156699218" /></a><br /><strong>Warning!! Addictive Muffins ahead!!</strong><br /><br />My kids first tasted Auntie Anne's Pretzels a couple of years ago. <br />They thought they were amazing (so does their Mom). <br />Not being one to go to malls often (since having kids), I decided the kids and I should whip up something similar at home. <br /><br />What we landed on were Applesauce Doughnuts...they were really good, however they were not as good after they cooled I was still tinkering with them when I was lucky <br />to meet Jen of <a href="http://www.howto-simplify.com/">How to Simplify</a> and sample some of her Doughnut Muffins! They were just what we were looking for! <br />Talk about addictive! They were a huge hit at the food blogger gathering I was at!Check out her site - she had some wonderful tips and recipes!<br /><br />We made these beauties a number of times in the past few months - My kids keep asking to make them. My son loves rolling the muffins hot out of the oven in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Then he reaps the fruit of his labor...or in this case the muffin! Thanks Jen!<br /><br /><strong>Doughnut Muffins</strong><br /><em>-<a href="http://www.howto-simplify.com/">How to Simplify</a></em><br /><br /><strong>Muffins </strong><br />1 3/4 cup flour<br />1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1/2 teaspoon nutmeg<br />1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1/3 cup oil <br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1 egg<br />3/4 cup milk<br /><br /><strong>Cinnamon and Sugar Coating</strong><br />1/2 cup butter, melted<br />1/3 cup sugar<br />1 tablespoon cinnamon<br /><br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a muffin tin well. <br />Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a medium bowl.<br />Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk in a large bowl, add in your dry ingredients and stir only to combine.<br />Bake for 15-20 minutes. While muffins are baking, melt butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.<br />Flip or gently lift muffins out of the muffin tin while the muffins are still hot.<br />Dip muffins in the melted butter and then into the sugar and cinnamon mixture, coating thee whole muffin. Place on a wire rack and allow to cool and try not to eat them all soon after....really!<br /><br />You can also cut out the milk and add in 1 cup of sweetened applesauce if you wish, for a bit of a different flavor (if using unsweetened, add in 2 TBS brown sugar).<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-80096592402135214162010-09-21T18:11:00.011-04:002010-09-26T09:49:12.603-04:00Today I ate a Rainbow Review and Giveaway!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46r1M7E0waozJHQD86T1ZEgnDfEfU39Hi1DXbI6a7_5rwnZe0WKliRamb1cja4yvpCTyxuSF5SgXov2SNGcKIrMg-Mdh0dON8ofV4SqIC8jPPKLA-AgdVNCFmGrFJPgeqbtq71pjLQzbA/s1600/chart%2520and%2520kit%2520lowres-rgb-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 173px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46r1M7E0waozJHQD86T1ZEgnDfEfU39Hi1DXbI6a7_5rwnZe0WKliRamb1cja4yvpCTyxuSF5SgXov2SNGcKIrMg-Mdh0dON8ofV4SqIC8jPPKLA-AgdVNCFmGrFJPgeqbtq71pjLQzbA/s400/chart%2520and%2520kit%2520lowres-rgb-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519883051319538002" /></a><br />I first heard about the concept of eating a rainbow a number of years ago, the concept stuck in my mind and was something I planned to include in our second book.<br /><br />A few weeks ago I happened upon a site that took the idea of eating a rainbow and turned it into an absolutely wonderful product for children!! <br /><br />I immediately was smitten, I contacted the owner, Kia, and asked her if we could do a swap...a couple of our Picture Me Cooking Books for a couple of her <br /><a href="http://www.todayiatearainbow.com/">Today I ate a Rainbow Kits</a>. That way we could each try out the others product and report back!<br /><br />I have 2 kids - A son, 8 (who was born a man, a serious man) and a daughter who recently turned 6 (who is as free spirited as the wind). <br />I introduced Today I Ate a Rainbow to them, they immediately "got it" and have been aggressively pursuing eating a rainbow every day since. <br /><br />My daughter has taken full control, she reports out every few hours how many colors she has eaten, runs to the fridge to move her magnets every time she qualifies to she also tries to move her brothers as well...he then bolts over, moves it back, the again places it on the corresponding color. My daughter often reports out for my son as well who then attempts to regain control....it's wonderful fun...and guess what...they are eating more fruit, they are eating more vegetables and they are thinking about these choices all day - even while at school, doing what they can to accumulate needed colors....and I feel like a sneaky genius!! Thanks to Today I ate a Rainbow!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGP0cv_c_TbhuSYPmslxLs67kWPbjRbDkP2ABC5hgv_iDeNCyd87Yk_J0T0wMLoazh9kR1RU88f2ti2FmiTYDbqPR_NWpYfk1a5axrhr-6AWTg_GRj_tTmYrLG3x5ZemVSPN52lGMnu8J/s1600/girl2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGP0cv_c_TbhuSYPmslxLs67kWPbjRbDkP2ABC5hgv_iDeNCyd87Yk_J0T0wMLoazh9kR1RU88f2ti2FmiTYDbqPR_NWpYfk1a5axrhr-6AWTg_GRj_tTmYrLG3x5ZemVSPN52lGMnu8J/s400/girl2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519883146247063202" /></a><br />The simplicity is brilliant!<br />My daughter did in fact on more than one occasion try to include colors of Fruity Cheerios as earning her magnets...but I quickly squashed that lol!<br /><br />Here is the deal<br />For $25.00 you get the kit<br /><br />The package contains the following:<br />• Complete "Today I Ate A Rainbow!™" Chart <br />• 1 chart<br />• 2 sets of square magnets<br />• 2 sets of circle magnets<br />• 4 achievement magnets<br />• 4 fridge magnets<br />• 1 grocery list<br />• The Rainbow Bunch Book<br /><br />The kit accommodates up to 4 children (or family members, hey a bunch of adults could benefit from this concept too!!) Once you eat every color in the rainbow...you earn the coveted rainbow magnet to signify that YOU ATE A RAINBOW!!<br /><br />In closing I would just like to say that anyone who struggles with picky eaters, anyone who is trying to get your kids eating more healthy this is one sure fire way to accomplish one or both...this as well as cooking with your child/children!<br />You need to pop by their <a href="http://www.todayiatearainbow.com/">website</a>...which is a nice site in and of itself...and hear Kia's daughter sing the sweet rainbow song!<br /><br /><strong>If you would like to enter to win your own set of Today I ate a Rainbow, do so by leaving a comment telling me what your biggest food challenge is with your child/children. You can gain a second entry by following us on Twitter and a third by becoming a follower.<br /><br />You have until Thursday September 30th to enter.</strong><br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-18094854774866832822010-09-19T18:52:00.018-04:002010-09-21T13:24:41.673-04:00Parent's Corner - Unleash Creativity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06woEoLrSJzdHvzt0s-SsXTip4ApKtIofcG9nWFxdaADWze1LPPlzLdGo0O5m16AM8fDlYZ_M5gm0HG9LEDhwMtnH6AIPun79YLMzloxiWOEWBx7Kab-jsi5GzcPVJHIP86WNKACoBust/s1600/DSC_0024b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06woEoLrSJzdHvzt0s-SsXTip4ApKtIofcG9nWFxdaADWze1LPPlzLdGo0O5m16AM8fDlYZ_M5gm0HG9LEDhwMtnH6AIPun79YLMzloxiWOEWBx7Kab-jsi5GzcPVJHIP86WNKACoBust/s400/DSC_0024b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519414280971729058" /></a><br /><strong>My kids love to paint (ages 9 and 5). If it does not move, they will try to paint it... so far that good news for our new puppy!</strong><br />My husband recently installed new doors for the kids bedroom closets, <br />the new doors pull open to allow the kids to see their whole closet, they love it! <em>Everyone was happy…or so we thought. </em><br /><br />The kids came into our bedroom early one morning last week, <strong>very</strong> excited. <br />They said in unison that they wanted to paint the doors. <br />I thought that was cute idea...why not empower them to have a hand in how their rooms look. So I thought I will give them some off white glossy paint and they can have at it. That, of course, was not their idea at all. <br />THEY were proposing that they paint mini multi-colored murals on the doors. <br />The kids even drew up plans for their visions on paper and presented us with them...6:30 am in the morning no less...My husband groaned and went back to sleep, I of course got up and started the process. <br /><br />My peace sign loving daughter wanted to “splatter” different colors of paint all over her doors and then have a big black peace sign in the middle. <br />My son wanted a multi colored door with a big, ugly green snake slithering up it. So much for the off white paint. <br /><br />We went to our local home improvement store and happily discovered sample jars of paint. We bought a bunch of different colors in 7 oz sizes for only a couple of dollars each (who knew?) and came home to prep the doors. <br /><br /><strong><em>Excitement in the air and plans at the ready...we began.</em> </strong><br />It took hours but they were both thrilled with the results. <br />They were so proud. Each room looks great, and in the end, the cost was less than $8 per door! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub06ea41sTW9mP_rlCB6yKhJ92usWL200y7ca4AbZsSEwLdSMomWSykpE7bNxYFBV3JUb3zF7TgqL5XCsS2B9pOSVC-oXRtrAIXrNYR3IGgMABMhdAJoFqKCmjjpNQooYCOYx-OqrCjO_/s1600/DSC_0033a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub06ea41sTW9mP_rlCB6yKhJ92usWL200y7ca4AbZsSEwLdSMomWSykpE7bNxYFBV3JUb3zF7TgqL5XCsS2B9pOSVC-oXRtrAIXrNYR3IGgMABMhdAJoFqKCmjjpNQooYCOYx-OqrCjO_/s400/DSC_0033a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519418133732675202" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Here is a tip!</strong> While at Home Depot I came across an area that the sthey had considered “mistakes.” Maybe a customer requested the wrong color and had to reorder their paint, maybe they miss-measured a window and it had to be reordered? There are major bargains to be had buying these mistakes. We found a $5 gallon of paint that will look perfect in the kids’ bathroom. Again, who knew? <br /><br />Take a Saturday morning and wander the aisles of your local home improvement store- who knows what fun, inexpensive projects will come your way? Also ask them about their free kid workshops (usually held on Saturday mornings, we have participated in a number at Home Depot) where the kids (with a little help) can make birdhouses, little wagons and other projects. Tons of fun, they learn how to use a hammer and it’s free!!<br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/maureen-1.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-32622603533691240812010-09-15T20:03:00.007-04:002010-09-15T21:51:42.071-04:00Fun with Food!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-vlROL38Slb24O3_pW5QXDAPYqETaNGPHuBnjvUnTinsjG1c4wwvSaqlM6nuKx4fdCXTp1psY3-3GtZ-gORTRR_ViPlmedHllC5E896ANWJVOGbHPU7sw8D4VEUjzrA2riKvc_EUSsk2/s1600/Fun+with+Food.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-vlROL38Slb24O3_pW5QXDAPYqETaNGPHuBnjvUnTinsjG1c4wwvSaqlM6nuKx4fdCXTp1psY3-3GtZ-gORTRR_ViPlmedHllC5E896ANWJVOGbHPU7sw8D4VEUjzrA2riKvc_EUSsk2/s400/Fun+with+Food.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517298276789309954" /></a><br />For me one of my very favorite things to do is surprise and delight my kids through food! I love to take just a few minutes and transform the ordinary into a "oooh...aaaah" moment. You know the one...little eyes light up, a smile spreads across those beautiful faces and maybe they clap their hands together and jump up and down ...<strong>I LOVE that!</strong> The running hug and thank you that follows doesn't hurt either!<br /><br />Think about what your kids like for snacks, dessert, dinner and more and take a quick moment to think what would be unexpected and make them get excited.<br /><strong><em>What are some of the things YOU do?</em></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>"Pineapple" Sherbert</strong><br /><br />1 pineapple <br />Your kids favorite sherbert, sorbet or ice cream (homemade or purchased)<br /><br />Cut the top off of your pineapple, hollow out some of the inside for a snack.<br />When ready to use fill your pineapple shell with small cookie dough sized scoops of sherbert, sorbet or ice cream. I stick colorful 2 pronged plastic cocktail forks into some of the balls for easy self service.<br /><br />Tip: You can also use mini pineapple for this...one for each child.<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-59300102246384055462010-09-07T13:14:00.004-04:002010-09-07T13:29:41.979-04:00The Science of Pancakes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkDy2rR20VUzHUOkdCilfgmsiLTLeyDJP4OvrfnktaFzrbqyZb9J_54_252Vb1pWz7KOsnJk8pTQFfErZmDkqgpJVVf591rkSXlEzHJqDClqvhjEN6pjERAN_RYB-W_DJF3SNr986KU0Q/s1600/iStock_000008357749Small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkDy2rR20VUzHUOkdCilfgmsiLTLeyDJP4OvrfnktaFzrbqyZb9J_54_252Vb1pWz7KOsnJk8pTQFfErZmDkqgpJVVf591rkSXlEzHJqDClqvhjEN6pjERAN_RYB-W_DJF3SNr986KU0Q/s400/iStock_000008357749Small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514224129726465826" /></a><br />Like a lot of families, we love to make pancakes in the morning, especially on the weekends. Not only are they quick and easy, but the whole family can get in on the action which starts the day off in a fun way! <br /><br />Besides a fun family breakfast, the making of pancakes is a science lesson as well. I am sure you have either seen or actually made a baking soda volcano at some point right? Making pancakes employs the same fundamentals.<br /><br /><strong>The science of pancakes:</strong> <em>Vinegar and lemon juice are called weak acids (they do not completely break apart when mixed into water), and baking soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) is a base. When these acids are mixed with this base, the result is water and carbon dioxide gas (the same stuff that makes soda bubbly). The carbon dioxide gas is trapped in the pancake batter making the batter light and fluffy when it cooks. If you notice the bubbles that form on your pancakes while cooking…they are the gas bubbles, created when you mixed the “agents” together bursting. </em><br /><br /><strong>Ingredients</strong><br />1 ¼ cups flour<br />2 ½ tablespoons sugar<br />1 tablespoon baking powder<br />1 tablespoons baking soda (different from baking powder)<br />1 cup milk<br />2 tablespoons lemon juice (or vinegar)<br />1 egg<br />1 tsp melted butter<br /><br />Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mix the wet ingredients together in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stir until combined, don’t over mix. Using hot pan greased with a bit of butter (medium heat works well), begin pouring your pancakes, one at a time flipping when “bubbles” can be seen all over the top. Let your pancakes cook another ½ minute or so on the other side (check for a medium brown color). Remove from heat when done and serve.<br /><br /><strong>For something really special </strong>like a sleepover, birthday or holiday breakfast make a pancake bar! Set out a bunch of small bowls for things like berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, jam, honey, syrup and chocolate chips and let everyone make their own pancake toppings. Serve with mini pancakes so you can try more than one combination. Take pictures of your creations! Name them! How cute would it be years later to have a photo and a written index card of the name of the pancake…especially if your kids are emerging spellers!<br /><br /><strong>Tip:</strong> Freeze whatever is left and re-heat them during the week. We just put all of the cooled leftovers into a freezer bag. We take out what we need, place on a microwave safe plate, and heat for 30 seconds. We then flip them over and heat for another 30 seconds. They actually taste as good as they did when fresh!<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/amanda.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-60614598061600094292010-09-06T09:30:00.001-04:002010-09-11T09:55:51.964-04:00Culinary Term of the Week<strong>Grease</strong> - <strong>If</strong> a recipe calls for you to grease the pan or dish you are using, that means you need to apply butter, oil, shortening or cooking spray <em>before</em> you add food or batter to it. <br />Greasing your pan or dish will make sure that the food you are making will easily come out once done. To get the job done right - grease with your clean fingers, or a pastry brush. Make sure all areas of the pan/dish are coated. <br />If using cooking spray, just aim and squirt. <br /><br /><strong>Tip:</strong> Use parchment paper for baking cookies (and cakes too - just cut into a circle). Not only will your cookies turn our beautiful but clean up is a snap!<br /><br /><strong>Note:</strong> When using cooking spray, use a paper towel to wipe any excess spray that gets on your pans surface...otherwise your pan may become permanently spotted in those areas.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-77983351117338283492010-09-01T20:21:00.003-04:002010-09-01T20:25:44.583-04:00Creamsicle Cupcakes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlGr6hJoSyxNzyHL5-yfqm9UJEpEsQw3vKWduT4G2-JGfCHwTFofAIF0gSTcNKfAwZJGLdZusGpEtA1iY0Yg_2VpGvE3_0_azHi-9lW0WsCODAGCqvseaChmAMjiuGq933bZgxducXM-l/s1600/Creamsicle+Cupcake.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlGr6hJoSyxNzyHL5-yfqm9UJEpEsQw3vKWduT4G2-JGfCHwTFofAIF0gSTcNKfAwZJGLdZusGpEtA1iY0Yg_2VpGvE3_0_azHi-9lW0WsCODAGCqvseaChmAMjiuGq933bZgxducXM-l/s400/Creamsicle+Cupcake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512105647715422322" /></a><br />These cupcakes are so, so, good!<br />I am not one for boxed cake mixes, but my MIL brought these over earlier this Summer and they were such a hit, the kids LOVED them! The best part is she doesn't even cook, I mean like ever!<br /><em>They were moist, they were refreshing, they were really, really, really good!</em><br /><br /><strong>Creamsicle Cupcakes</strong>-Maria Galan, winner from the Bucks County Courrier Times Newspaper<br /><br />1 box vanilla cake mix<br />3 oz package orange jello<br />1 tsp orange extract<br />1 1/4 cup Minute Maid orange aid (not orange juice)<br />1/3 cup oil <br />3 eggs<br /><br />Preheat your oven to 350 degrees<br /><br />In a mixing bowl combine the jello powder, orange extract and orange aid, add in the cake mix and blend on medium until incorporated. Add in the oil and the eggs, blend well.<br /><br />Pour into your cupcake holders and bake until done approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.<br /><br />Ice with vanilla icing or for added fun a vanilla orange swirl icing.<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-48398352435554484762010-08-30T09:34:00.013-04:002010-09-01T20:26:11.604-04:00Pack Up Some Love!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyxa1k42Jp9l436vvL82QuH_kxzJ_9of1PAHHL6WFu1mXz8swa5GQ-EqNNtfbJMBLuZB1PjhYQ3s5oSxDEKKr07_GXd0rwF0DK-l8cm4u8Ujq0r1GcPrRVHHGZOxXZHfWLMXMdLa3wPjg/s1600/100_0819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyxa1k42Jp9l436vvL82QuH_kxzJ_9of1PAHHL6WFu1mXz8swa5GQ-EqNNtfbJMBLuZB1PjhYQ3s5oSxDEKKr07_GXd0rwF0DK-l8cm4u8Ujq0r1GcPrRVHHGZOxXZHfWLMXMdLa3wPjg/s400/100_0819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511359117942951794" /></a><br /><strong><em>It’s that time of year again…Back to School!</em></strong><br />For many, we get back into the same routine as the last school year. <br />For some it is a time of firsts, little ones going to off kindergarten or first grade. Tweens and teens headed off to the middle or high school…man, the years sure do fly by!<br />It's a time of getting the kids to bed on time, get them up on time, homework, activities, play dates with new friends and more.<br /><br /><strong>One area that always seems to be a challenge is the Lunch Box!</strong><br /><em>We are packing the all important lunch...We want our children to eat it, we want it to be somewhat healthy, we want it to be fun and we want it to carry our love with them to school. <br />Plus we want our children to enjoy their lunch, not be bored by it...right!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3AVrS7F8vR7CtqNe3t6R_r4WsYF1hdIJDYxjTcev6g9aUxisqpIk_ao75eLu84ZZ05vrDfCVkoYlcg970dslx0IGMizefnScS9Gm8pex-k5G5jWP-HpULiM84K3-CQbDqg9GwxptW7cK/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3AVrS7F8vR7CtqNe3t6R_r4WsYF1hdIJDYxjTcev6g9aUxisqpIk_ao75eLu84ZZ05vrDfCVkoYlcg970dslx0IGMizefnScS9Gm8pex-k5G5jWP-HpULiM84K3-CQbDqg9GwxptW7cK/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511360126742305586" /></a><br />Raise you hand if you have searched lunch box ideas lately… <br /><br />Yes, its time. Whether you are happy or sad to put the kids on the bus you need to think about what to put in those lunch boxes. <br /><br /><strong>Have you tried:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Make your own pizza:</strong> a little container of tomato sauce, some shredded cheese, cut up veggies and a tortilla – you can even cut the tortilla into “pizza triangles” and they can make a slice at a time.<br /><br /><strong>Hummus spread on crackers: </strong>have your kids help make their favorite type of hummus the night before. Not only will they enjoy it but they can tell their friends they made it! <br /><br /><strong>Pasta salad or a chef salad</strong> with chicken or tuna or whatever was leftover from dinner- you know the deal! Dressing in a small container on the side.<br /><br /><strong>Seashell Sandwiches</strong> from our cookbook for kids Picture Me Cooking: This one always gets the kids chattering at the lunch table… large pasta shells (cooked and cooled) stuffed with anything your kids may like: tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, chopped salad, etc. They get to eat the bowl!<br /><br /><strong>Couscous Salad:</strong> Make boxed couscous according to package directions (Near East Brand is awesome and literally takes 5 minutes to make) cool, then add in veggies to your kids like and or some chopped chicken. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wWhpT_N2Go36TTuL1eo83N8qUled8x-SF0jcb08x_MjmLcvtvwn08Hmg1KItuslEk8WxL8ZKKvXwW6XaABlp4xsWywHm6opuI85R3pjNScA63GaSuSQRy_Evr0Cl-w_NVT-AsYDOfLOb/s1600/Couscous+Salad.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wWhpT_N2Go36TTuL1eo83N8qUled8x-SF0jcb08x_MjmLcvtvwn08Hmg1KItuslEk8WxL8ZKKvXwW6XaABlp4xsWywHm6opuI85R3pjNScA63GaSuSQRy_Evr0Cl-w_NVT-AsYDOfLOb/s400/Couscous+Salad.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511354903161800034" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Bruschetta:</strong> Pack up some chopped tomatoes or fresh salsa in a small container and some toasted French bread slices in a baggie. Pack a spoon for spreading.<br /><br /><strong>Quesadillas:</strong> Place cheese, shredded chicken, lettuce, a little salsa on a tortilla, top it with another tortilla, warm in over until all melted and then cut into triangles.<br /><br /><strong>Food on a stick:</strong> Fun up your child's lunch by sending in some cute plastic toothpicks or mini two pronged forks to spear chunks of cut of fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, blueberries and more.<br />Foe a main dish, cut up chunks of a mozzarella stick and thread onto toothpicks, alternating with grape tomato halves...a mini caprese salad on a stick!<br /><br /><strong>Kids love dip...</strong>so slice up some veggies and put them in a baggie alongside a small container of veggie or ranch dip. Slice up some apples tossed in a bit of lemon juice or strawberries and pack up some of our <a href="http://picturemecooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/brown-sugar-fruit-dip.html">fruit dip</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWGoPkvEFt2YSvkG2tYdJS5d32cfB4kx-Tt_sbhv7ePOIntSUDIMGiVdyZ0icnT_rn6_0LdJe1AZtJeqJ1bQWhXekbNBC7gkLmWmAyUAJA_P63RkTxwvrUvLPTw8LXSH9H_hhrx4DlvbB/s1600/Brown+Sugar+Fruit+Dip.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWGoPkvEFt2YSvkG2tYdJS5d32cfB4kx-Tt_sbhv7ePOIntSUDIMGiVdyZ0icnT_rn6_0LdJe1AZtJeqJ1bQWhXekbNBC7gkLmWmAyUAJA_P63RkTxwvrUvLPTw8LXSH9H_hhrx4DlvbB/s400/Brown+Sugar+Fruit+Dip.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511355244190217746" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Breakfast for Lunch:</strong> Pack slices of French toast and a small container of syrup or powdered sugar...that is a surprise!<br /><br />We can have so much fun coming up with ideas....plan it out and get your kids involved too. Bet they would enjoy prepping and or planning their weeks worth of lunches! When all else fails...once or twice a month give them the $3.50 and let them choose what to have from the cafeteria - bet in the end they enjoy what comes from home instead!<br /><br /><strong>What are your tips and trick to make your kids lunch a success?</strong><br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/maureen-1.png"/></p> <br />and <p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-36478575082237029382010-08-28T08:57:00.007-04:002010-08-28T09:32:05.203-04:00Junior Chef Spotlight - Clarissa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxZaESCsGANTZ90hZ3HWBidQ5cbuRdyaTiWcQN0P_92Ov5YRYD1VUfq9fzpmNI6Q1IlNuZ1kj9Bi1aXD7xOzKMDQLBaHEuePl8kJJhQmXwvdtCB9kMwF10YlaLnBg8pMl_W3wpDUkqyVf/s1600/bake+sale+clarissa+Katelyn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxZaESCsGANTZ90hZ3HWBidQ5cbuRdyaTiWcQN0P_92Ov5YRYD1VUfq9fzpmNI6Q1IlNuZ1kj9Bi1aXD7xOzKMDQLBaHEuePl8kJJhQmXwvdtCB9kMwF10YlaLnBg8pMl_W3wpDUkqyVf/s400/bake+sale+clarissa+Katelyn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510450978742168882" /></a><br /><strong>Meet Junior Chef Clarissa from California</strong><br /><br />Not only is Clarissa one of our Junior Chefs because of her love of spending time in the kitchen cooking up some fun, she is also using her skill and doing what she enjoys to help others....Clarissa is a Junior Chef with a <strong>big heart</strong>!<br />I asked her Mom to tell you about it.<br /><br /><em>Clarissa has been creating in the kitchen since she was a little girl. <br />At first they were crazy concoctions that not everyone wanted to eat. <br />Now, everyone gives her requests because her cooking is so good. <br />Clarissa recently sponsored the Sweet Success Bake Sale to raise money to help kids with cancer. She used Twitter and Facebook to get donations as well as recipes. <br />The recipes have been compiled into a cook book which will also be sold to raise money for charity. Clarissa's bake sale brought in nearly $400 in donations for kids ti help kids with cancer. <br />Most of the donations were from the local community but some came also from Australia, New York City, and New Jersey.</em> <br />Clarissa has her own website, check it out along with her recipes. <br />Visit Creating with CC, here is a link to a recipe she created<a href="http://creatingwithcc.com/">http://creatingwithcc.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>Fun Fact about California:</strong> California is our 31st state. Way back in 1850 it became official and by the early 1960s it had more people living there than any other U.S. state. What I love most about living in California is that it is warm most of the entire year which is VERY different from living in Utah where I was born. <br /><br /><strong>My favorite kitchen tool is </strong> - My favorite kitchen tool is the blender because you use it to make: smoothies, pesto, pancake batter, soups, sauces and so much more! A good blender is a must have in the kitchen!<br /><br /><strong>My favorite food to eat is</strong> - My favorite nutritious food is pesto pizza with goat cheese and my favorite treat would be either my peppermint bark or my Great Grandpa's Lemon Ice.<br /><br /><strong>My favorite food to cook is</strong> - I really like to make muffins and granola. My Top 3 Favorite Muffins are: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Spice, and Giant Carrot. <br /><br /><strong>I love cooking because</strong> - It makes me relax and I am good at it.<br /><br /><strong>My favorite chef is</strong> - I actually have three favorite chefs - Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, and Rafael Gonzalez of the Four Seasons Hotel in Philly, PA. I had the opportunity to tour the Four Seasons with Executive Chef Gonzalez and have lunch with him. He is really talented and he really encouraged me to keep cooking and finish my cook book.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-41909500016767526432010-08-23T20:59:00.001-04:002010-08-27T11:41:31.173-04:00Crunchy Veggie Roll Ups<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-JFlmfGWcHMfTLjPsKcG66ygTCcjTQxI3xGXZu5CpNccrTi-bXkbclDm-VvUVB7oBsiv_hm2aloh73QFu-hRO4Yrz87j0WnWd2hpihExzvajDkXGxY3pTQL6J2AkjNLlHg6ySmZWuVRP/s1600/Crunchy+Veggie+Roll+Ups.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-JFlmfGWcHMfTLjPsKcG66ygTCcjTQxI3xGXZu5CpNccrTi-bXkbclDm-VvUVB7oBsiv_hm2aloh73QFu-hRO4Yrz87j0WnWd2hpihExzvajDkXGxY3pTQL6J2AkjNLlHg6ySmZWuVRP/s400/Crunchy+Veggie+Roll+Ups.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510115246754536578" /></a><br /><strong>Just in time for back to school!</strong><br /><br />In addition to a great snack or lunch item, these roll ups are perfect for the lunchbox! Customize these to your/your kids liking and you are good to go!<br /><br /><strong>Crunchy Veggie Roll Ups</strong><br />What you will need:<br />Fresh Tortillas<br />Reduced fat cream cheese, softened<br />Cucumbers and peppers, sliced in to matchstick size slices<br /><br />Spread a bit of cream cheese on each tortilla, add a few rows of cucumber and pepper sticks. Roll up the tortilla as tightly as you can, like a log. <br />Wrap tightly in plastic wrap if you are not serving right away.<br /><br />When ready to serve, unwrap and slice into 3/4 inch bites and enjoy!<br /><br />Variations: Try carrot or celery sticks. Instead of cream cheese try hummus.<br />You can also try peanut butter and celery.<br /><br />Tip if your tortillas feels stiff, place a damp paper towel on top of eavh one you are using (one at a time) and microwave for a few seconds to freshen up before assembling.<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-64586982403471607412010-08-20T09:00:00.000-04:002010-08-22T10:07:55.356-04:00Culinary Term of the Week<strong>3 - B's in the Kitchen</strong><br /><br /><strong>Bake</strong> - To cook in the oven.<br /><br /><strong>Beat</strong> - Mixing ingredients quickly by hand with a spatula, spoon or whisk or with a mixer. Air is added to the mixture in the process making it come together smoothly.<br /><br /><strong>Blend</strong> - Similar to beat, mixing ingredients together until they become one using a spoon whisk or a mixer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-32743053742331862092010-08-20T08:48:00.004-04:002010-08-20T09:02:14.083-04:00Stuffed Strawberries<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErwbe5gFXwXC8sioC_3zaRvgqNHMvC4Ce0Qlik7iZt5V7kvz2mjzRF7jTxdQoDBuA6CAaz3XtvTSV6Bz-PR7j16ZSk6BVsVgirYfK8o1xAcEeD0l-5Pa4CqHF7yu_nXBRs5utGsp9ZpWC/s1600/Stuffed+Strawberries.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 359px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErwbe5gFXwXC8sioC_3zaRvgqNHMvC4Ce0Qlik7iZt5V7kvz2mjzRF7jTxdQoDBuA6CAaz3XtvTSV6Bz-PR7j16ZSk6BVsVgirYfK8o1xAcEeD0l-5Pa4CqHF7yu_nXBRs5utGsp9ZpWC/s400/Stuffed+Strawberries.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507476449678308850" /></a><br /><em>For a simple but oh so special treat, try <strong>Stuffed Strawberries</strong> with REAL whipped cream! Besides homemade whipped cream being so much better tasting, it's healthier as well and it only takes a few minutes to whip up...literally!</em><br /><br />Strawberries are pretty to look at, tasty to eat and packed full of nutritional benefits! The have a huge amount of vitamin C and are a great source of fiber, potassium an folate, plus strawberries have touted medical benefits as well - so go ahead and grab a few!<br /><br /><strong>Stuffed Strawberries</strong><br />Strawberries<br />1 cup heavy or whipping cream<br />1 1/2 TBS sugar (or more if you want it sweeter)<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)<br /><br />Wash and dry the berries. Parents, slice the green part of the berry off making a flat surface. Gently cut out a circle from the tip of each berry, digging down a bit. Kids pop the tail end of the berry in your mouth and enjoy!<br /><br /><strong>For the whipped cream:</strong><br />Place cold cream in your mixing bowl and mix on med-high speed until the cream begins to get firm (about 2 minutes),add in the sugar and vanilla if using and continue beating until nice and thick and peaks hold their place do not over beat unless you want to make butter lol!<br /><br />Pipe the cream into each strawberry using a pastry bag and tip of your choice, or you can just throw some whipped cream into a sandwich bag, snip off the end, gently squeeze a bit into each strawberry it. I have taken these on picnic's transporting the berries and cream in an ice filled cooler - cream in a baggie, snipped of the end and filled them on site....quick and easy!<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-22823887221247564322010-08-15T09:28:00.004-04:002010-08-16T09:58:14.988-04:00Junior Chef Spotlight - Abbey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxUTI8uSPAg-nIF8AEKsTfuxow09DhMYc8Xa_uV4JT-yxRGZW7DiSl964zhSr5RIhmekuazARLcaF2vG6MmsmnIUzySMNzYli-5OI0AJ1iqKztwcq0HUlqRc8dtRMprEdFRoKOZsjFdUn/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxUTI8uSPAg-nIF8AEKsTfuxow09DhMYc8Xa_uV4JT-yxRGZW7DiSl964zhSr5RIhmekuazARLcaF2vG6MmsmnIUzySMNzYli-5OI0AJ1iqKztwcq0HUlqRc8dtRMprEdFRoKOZsjFdUn/s400/IMG_0498.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506006074612551970" /></a><br /><strong>Meet Junior Chef, Abbey from Alabama! </strong><br /><br />I love to bake with my Mom. She calls me her "Little Chef" when we cook together. Mom wants to be a chef one day and says her kitchen is her favorite room in our house. My Mom & I always have fun cooking together. <br />I like to help her make muffins, eggs, cakes, biscuits, granola bars and this summer Mom is teaching me how to make refrigerator pies. <br />My Granddaddy loves when me & Mom make those because they make two pies and we always take one to him and Grandmother. <br />Here is a picture of me and the <a href="http://grettajohns.blogspot.com/2010/07/heavenly-pineapple-pie.html">Heavenly Pineapple Pie</a> me and my Mom made this week. She put it on <a href="http://www.grettajohns.blogspot.com/">her blog</a> so that other kids could make it too. <br /><br />Mom said I should tell you a "Fun Fact" about our state. <br />Alabama has America's first wave pool. It is at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. I love going there because my family can enjoy waves like the beach without having to drive all the way to the beach. It is fun! <br /><br /><br /><em>Q&A with Abbey age 9</em><br /><br /><br />The first thing I can remember cooking is homemade cookies for Santa at Christmas one year. <br /><br /><br />My favorite kitchen tool is a rolling pin.<br /><br /><br />My favorite food to eat is chocolate cake.<br /><br /><br />When I cook something and give it to my family it makes me feel happy.<br /><br /><br />My favorite chef is Paula Deen because she is the greatest chef there ever was.<br /><br /><br />Thanks Abbey!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-44400888074565974092010-08-13T09:44:00.012-04:002010-08-13T10:01:19.177-04:00Parent's Corner - When Kids Were Kids<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVAUM5_EYdCKLCToAx5Mxk39K4TB45Yj76hS0MgCyBVqV6GTmgrDECbLiU28UK50uCla2JWP-zP5_DP6kvvdrFlurvX2cphzMTT9R_ItLXd5WMJyKfF3Qwk6EcpL5TC4j3DczZS2R5yxj/s1600/iStock_000009267819Small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVAUM5_EYdCKLCToAx5Mxk39K4TB45Yj76hS0MgCyBVqV6GTmgrDECbLiU28UK50uCla2JWP-zP5_DP6kvvdrFlurvX2cphzMTT9R_ItLXd5WMJyKfF3Qwk6EcpL5TC4j3DczZS2R5yxj/s400/iStock_000009267819Small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504889990199464306" /></a><br />Normally I write about how moms make it all happen, work, running the home, the kid’s needs and then oh yeah - ours! <br /><br />Well, today I want to write about the way in which summer vacation has changed from when I was a kid! <br /><em>Don’t you remember being a kid - loving summer vacation because all you did was wake up, eat and run outside – not to be heard from or checked on again until you heard your mom's voice calling you in from a distance for dinner. Nobody would bother you - we just played for hours. </em>We played kickball, we played in the cul-de-sac, street, woods, fields or stoop. We rode bikes, thought up crazy games, had adventures...basically head the time of our life! Nobody made us do work or worried that we would be taken from our yards.<br /><br />Well, it is different today…I never let my kids play outside unsupervised,much to my children’s displeasure, but I am a self admitted nervous nelly and I just can’t take the chance that someone would think of harming my kids. <br />So, no more random kickball games, no more free play all day long, no more crazy adventures that only you and your pals knew about and giggled over often. <br /><br />Now we must make sure that our kids do work everyday - read, do math, learn their next year’s facts. <strong>When do kids just get to be kids?</strong> I feel like we push our kids too hard. I am guilty too - I want my kids to be good at school, good at sports, etc. BUT I also want them to enjoy being a kid. I don’t want to feel pressure to make them geniuses yet I don’t want them to struggle or be behind in school.<br /><br />What do we do - how do we allow kids to be kids yet still feel like we are continually educating them? It is not easy. Any ideas????<br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/rebecca.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-8873570443831184272010-08-12T06:19:00.003-04:002010-08-12T06:22:52.576-04:00Sale Ends Sunday<strong>3 more days to take advantage of the 20% off website launch sale!</strong><br />Buy your copy of Picture Me Cooking today and save!<br />Stock up for the holidays, make a great gift!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-64557072550052931662010-08-10T14:00:00.000-04:002010-08-10T14:00:01.742-04:00Did You Know?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uAy0XeEal5nIrrGge61jUsFs_SwbSjV6E2drhSOiDqaEN6a0JdIQGJRpuW-TD-1eqU9T8DyYvEFd11jXfPExfADleV0-uF0oE89V-4x0elg_cxbVynUK60j9DWAbP7KeHXqaiREMjPi1/s1600/22829868_bananasplit_21322005_std.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uAy0XeEal5nIrrGge61jUsFs_SwbSjV6E2drhSOiDqaEN6a0JdIQGJRpuW-TD-1eqU9T8DyYvEFd11jXfPExfADleV0-uF0oE89V-4x0elg_cxbVynUK60j9DWAbP7KeHXqaiREMjPi1/s400/22829868_bananasplit_21322005_std.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503508216241041506" /></a><br /><strong>The largest ice cream sundae ever made weighed 24.5 tons!</strong><br />It would take 3 African Elephants, the largest living land animal, to equal that!! It was created by Palm Dairies in Alberta Canada in 1988.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-60977478301135318652010-08-08T12:22:00.008-04:002010-08-09T19:07:58.788-04:00Create Your Own Cones!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyN_8jtoXIEJ8tvQwL7UdysyIWm8oOK-48BCJrLg1fd2Ihkj4b-GX2c1nVxTLGIR8K2YT0SWhhPnOIWhi3ry5MzONEpmWbYMPEk5AoIoHR2g53FEbfbqQlGGAki8Y7jRSdXKsuH4T23tS/s1600/Ice+Cream+Cones.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyN_8jtoXIEJ8tvQwL7UdysyIWm8oOK-48BCJrLg1fd2Ihkj4b-GX2c1nVxTLGIR8K2YT0SWhhPnOIWhi3ry5MzONEpmWbYMPEk5AoIoHR2g53FEbfbqQlGGAki8Y7jRSdXKsuH4T23tS/s400/Ice+Cream+Cones.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503105514135828594" /></a><br /><strong>This is a craft and a treat rolled into one!</strong><br /><br /><em>Bring out the Picasso in your kids as they "paint" and design their own ice cream cones. </em><br /><br />Recently I did a kid swap. I exchanged my daughter for my nephew for a night. <br />My son and nephew (8 and 9) helped prepare a fun treat for a family barbecue I was hosting the next day. Not only did the boys have a blast making these, they custom made one for each of their cousins, and family members. Then, when the time came, they so very proudly handed them out, one by one!<br /><br /><em>Moments like these are priceless to me!</em><br /><br /><strong>What You Will Need:</strong><br />Ice cream cones<br />Chocolate to melt - I use Wilton melting disks in various colors from the craft store, those are amazing and versatile for so many uses.<br />Decorations - jimmies, colored sugars, small candies, mini chocolate chips...whatever you think will surprise and delight your kiddos and is small enough to work!!<br />Wax or parchment paper<br />Pasty Brush, or silicone basting brush<br />Wax or parchment paper lined baking sheet<br /><br />Line the cones up on a big piece of wax or parchment paper - one work area for each child.<br /><br />Parents, melt the chocolate in the microwave in a small bowl (one color at a time) depending on how many your are making cooking times will vary. I suggest 45 seconds to start, check your chocolate, stir a bit then 30 second intervals until smooth and glossy when stirred.<br /><br />Have your kids dip the brush into the melted chocolate and "paint" the cone tips, then quickly have them sprinkle on chosen decorations.<br /><br />Make the cones one at a time - The chocolate can harden quickly depending on the temperature if it does, the decorations will not stick.<br /><br />As each one is made, gently place on your parchment/wax paper lined baking sheet. Once all are made, place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened once again.<br /><br />Store in an airtight large container if not using within a few hours.<br /><br />Have fun releasing your inner artist!!<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909767210787667319.post-5059556076757055632010-08-03T08:00:00.003-04:002010-08-20T09:05:02.555-04:00Chocolate and Banana Bread<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ve_2_OVI8Aakh22xwIJ6iu2GWOWgRgWwPHmbdYlmx5jFXcaa07eNZMtKpZyn9YiX_YS5cCrsxUMjN5jFBWKZrw14L00sKWEMkNJxQbYjUsXOq6JL-CLcJy120c94fd2QuXjqgIn1-1d/s1600/Banana+Chocolate+Chip+Bread.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ve_2_OVI8Aakh22xwIJ6iu2GWOWgRgWwPHmbdYlmx5jFXcaa07eNZMtKpZyn9YiX_YS5cCrsxUMjN5jFBWKZrw14L00sKWEMkNJxQbYjUsXOq6JL-CLcJy120c94fd2QuXjqgIn1-1d/s400/Banana+Chocolate+Chip+Bread.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501163623165542674" /></a><br />My kids like bananas, but they like Banana Bread even more. <br />They keep me updated on the state of our bananas, letting me know when they begin to brown or that they might be ready to make Banana Bread.<br /><br />It goes something like this:<br /><br /><strong>"Moooooooommmmm"</strong><br /><em><br />I jump from what every I am doing and I am like <strong>WHAT</strong>!!!!</em><br /><br /><em>"I think it's time to make banana bread...the bananas are getting brown!!!"</em><br /><br />(Phew, the house is not on fire, all is well, its just a banana bread inquiry, lol.) <br /><em>"Good idea sweetie, we will make it soon".</em><br /><br /><em>"Can we make it now? Can we put chocolate chips in it? I know how to make it"</em>(all in one breath)<br /><br />So of course I drop everything and that is exactly what we do :)<br /><br />Then the countdown begins until it is ready to come out of the oven, cool and be eaten...LOL, You know how it goes!<br /><br />Hope you have fun making and eating this together!<br /><br /><strong>Chocolate and Banana Bread</strong><br /><br />4 brown bananas<br />2 cups flour<br />1 tsp baking soda<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1/2 cup butter, softened<br />1 cup sugar<br />2 eggs<br />1/3 cup milk<br />1 tsp lemon juice<br />3/4 cup chocolate chips<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees<br /><br />Mix flour salt and baking soda in a medium bowl, set aside.<br />In a small bowl or mug, combine the milk and the lemon juice, set aside.<br />In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar. Add the bananas and using a potato masher, mash them into the butter and sugar mixture. If you don't have a potato masher you can use a big fork or your clean hands - it is quite fun squishing bananas!<br />Add in the milk mixture, stir well.<br />Add in the flour mixture and the chocolate chips, stir well until fully mixed.<br /><br />Spray or butter a loaf pan, then pour your batter in. (You can add extra chocolate chips on top if you like or some raw sugar)<br /><br />Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.<br /><br /><strong>Variation</strong>: Instead of a loaf, make banana bread muffins, just pour your batter into a sprayed or buttered muffin pans or cupcake liners in your muffin pans and bake for 10-15 minutes for mini's or 20-25 minutes for regular sized.<br /><br /><strong>Tip</strong>: Once you make the muffins, freeze a bunch to be used for school lunches, or after school snacks.<br /><br />Happy Cooking!<br /><br /><p><img style="border:0;"align="left"src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd23/digiscrapper219/Designer%20Blogs/Colleen%20Kennedy/colleen.png"/></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336807418188981592noreply@blogger.com1