Baby Food Adventures

Once finding out we were pregnant I was filled with lofty ideas of waking every morning to make fresh baby food. 

Then our perfect little bundle of run-mommy-ragged arrived, and my priorities quickly changed to... 

SLEEP! 

It will be a cold day in a hot place when I willingly wake up before my child just to make baby food. That being said, I AM making his baby food and am thrilled, and honestly quite amazed, to say that we have not purchased any pre-made baby food for over a month. 

This is, of course, made easier by the fact I am blessed to be a SAHM (that's stay at home mom for any of you not up to date on your mommy lingo). Here is the list of mommy made foods Barrett has enjoyed thus far, in his almost 10 months of life. 

Oatmeal. OK, I realize this isn't exactly a homemade item, but he loves it, especially when it's mixed with applesauce or breast milk in place of water or juice. 

                             

               *When fed before bed he always sleeps TTN (Through the night. I know, I know, I'm learning as I go too).

Yogurt. I know they make baby yogurt, and that's great if you want to spend $1+ on one little carton. I have been purchasing plain old regular yogurt and not only does he love it, but I'm not breaking the bank over branding. Serve plain or have some fun and mix in some goodies. Here is what we have tried so far: diced, seedless, water melon; diced, peeled, peaches; diced, peeled and seeded, pear; rice crispy cereal; toasted oats; diced, pealed and seeded, cucumber... Have some fun and see what flavor combinations your little one enjoys!  

Applesauce. I purchase the 'no sugar added' kind because my goal is to keep him as far away from extra sugars and salt as possible. In order to make this a finger food I mix in some rice crispy or toasted oat cereal. 

Banana. Bananas will naturally separate into three sections. Simply cut the banana in about 1/4 - 1/2 inch slices and separate the three sections. I will often give him some cereal along with the banana and have also mixed with other fruits. 

Prunes. I always said I would never become one of those moms who always talk about their child's diapers. Well, when you're struggling with a constipated baby, that changes quickly. While there are other means of success, prunes are, without a doubt, the most effective. This would be great, if my son actually liked prunes. My son, who will gladly place a fist full of cat fur in his mouth, has decided that prunes are on his 'don't like' list. SO! How did I get my little big man to eat his prunes? 

5 Prunes

1/2 C Yogurt

1/2 C Applesauce

Place all ingredients in your food processor and let 'er rip until smooth.

Not only did he love this combination, we had results within 24 hours. This recipe made enough for two sittings for my Bear. Obviously, refrigerate your leftovers. 

Small Curd Cottage Cheese. Plain or with some fun mix ins, this is a big hit and is easily picked up and shoveled into his two toothed mouth. 

Scrambled eggs. One egg, scrambled without salt or pepper and served with some broken up, soft, bread and fruit. Barrett loves being able to sit at the table and eat what mommy and daddy are having. I'd be lying if I told you we didn't get a kick out of too. 

You can make as much at a time as you feel you need. I purchased small containers that will fit inside his bottle holder (which helps keep them cool, especially when I put a frozen teether, or two, in along with his food) and I've also used empty baby food jars for transportation. None of these meals take more than 5 minutes to prep and serve. 

I hope this has inspired you to be more creative and natural with what you feed your little one. 

Watermelon, Peaches, and Rice Cereal

Watermelon and Rice Cereal 

Sleepy Bear eating his scrambled eggs and "toast"

Yogurt and Rice Cereal

After running applesauce through his hair :) 

What are some of your babies favorite foods? Leave a comment and share your success stories! 

Whole Wheat Banana Oat Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Bananas are a staple item in the GDG house. I purchase at least 2lbs every time we're at the store. Ever since Mr. Glitter Dot and I have been married I will say to him, "let a couple go so I can bake" It took some convincing that I'd use such a "nasty" banana to bake with but, once he tasted the result, he started letting them go all on his own.

While I'd love to tell you I'm one of those super human wives that gets up every morning to make her hubby breakfast, it's simply not true, especially when he leaves as early as 5:30am! I have, however, come up with a happy medium, baking. Every week I bake a breakfast bread/muffin that he can munch while on his way to work. There is never a shortage of flour in my kitchen, though somehow I am out of brown sugar (how I let this happen I have no idea), so I just poke around with what I have in stock and hope that what I pull from the oven tastes as good as it smells.

Today, I was not disappointed.

What started out as a boring quest to make plain old banana bread took a sudden turn towards brilliant when I remembered the half can of pumpkin begging for attention in the back of my cooler (don't worry, it hadn't been there very long).

Easy, fast, super moist, and uber yummy. Your tummy will thank you.

Whole Wheat Banana Oat Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Preheat oven to 350 and grease 1 muffin pan and 1 small loaf pan

2 Over ripe bananas

1/2 C Vegetable oil

3 Eggs - beaten

1 Tsp Vanilla

1/2 C Pumpkin

Beat together until smooth then add

1/2 Tsp Salt

1C Quick oats

1C Whole wheat flour

1C Sugar

1/2 Tsp Baking soda

1/2 Tsp Baking powder

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1C Chopped walnuts

Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean

Let cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove from pan and let finish cooling on wire rack.

Enjoy! 

Of course, if you really want to make them right, you'll light your favorite candle, blast some Florence and the Machine, and dance around your kitchen with your 8 month old son while they bake... or maybe that's just for me ;) 

Coconut Macaroons and Red Velvet Cake Balls

Left: coconut macaroons Right: red velvet cake balls

Yesterday Mr. Glitter Dot and I hosted our fellow worship leaders for a relaxing time of lunch and conversation. Get to know those you minister with! You will see increase in your ministry. I volunteered to make desserts for our lunch and had been craving coconut macaroons for months, like, literally since December. I've made these super easy, super yummy treats several times and each time I fall in love a little bit more.

My first batch of coconut macaroons

I've seen a million (slight exaggeration, but only slight) different cake ball recipes between Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and all the foodie personalities that saturate them with pictures good enough to drool over. While I'd love to tell you that I made the cake and icing from scratch, there simply was not enough time this weekend for such luxuries. Next time though - for sure.

These treats were a huge hit, so I've decided to share :)

Coconut Macaroons

5 C Flaked Coconut

1/3 C All Purpose Flour

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 14oz Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

*Natural Flavors

*Including but not limited to: rum, almond, banana

Combine flour, coconut and salt in large mixing bowl. 

Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract and mix well (using your hands is best, and you get to lick them off after!).

Place batter in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 350

Spoon onto cookie sheets lined with greased foil

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until coconut is lightly toasted. 

Remove from cookie sheet and place on wire rack to cool

Enjoy!  

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 Red Velvet Cake Mix 

1 Cream Cheese Icing

2C Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Prepare cake mix as directed and make sure it is completely cool. 

Remove cake from pan and place in large mixing bowl.

Mix cake and icing until well blended

Shape into rounds using a tea spoon and place onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Place cake balls into freezer

*Melt chocolate chips until perfectly smooth

Remove balls from freezer, dip into chocolate and replace onto wax paper to cool

Enjoy! 

*Melting in the microwave: Place chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 10 second increments, stirring each time, until smooth

*Melting on stove top: place chocolate chips in a greased metal bowl that fits over one of of your smaller pots. Fill pot about 1/3 with water and place on stove, on medium/low setting. Place metal bowl with chips over the steaming water and stir occasionally as they melt. 

** Chocolate can melt and retain it's shape. You must stir to prevent burning. 

I hope you enjoy these tasty treats as much as we do!

Home Made Pumpernikel and Tuna Salad

Recently I posted an Instagram picture of one of our favorite meals, tuna salad on pumpernickel.

Since then, I've had several requests for the recipe(s). So, here they are!


Sometime ago, way back in our college years, we were perusing the artisan bread isle of the super market when pumpernickel caught both our attention. We both love our food full of flavor, and already knew we liked pumpernickel, so decided to pick up a loaf. The next day I made tuna salad for lunch and decided to serve it with pumpernickel in place of whole wheat. The combination has become a staple in the Glitter Dot house.

I hope you enjoy this tasty treat as much as we do

Pumpernickel Bread

1 1/2 C Warm Water

2 Tbs Vegetable Oil

1/2 C Molasses

2 C Bread Flour

1 1/2 C Rye Flour

1 C Whole Wheat Flour

4 Tbs cocoa powder

1 1/4 Tbs Caraway Seed (optional)

2 Tbs Vital Wheat Gluten

1 2/3 Tsp Bread Machine Yeast (Instant Dry)

Place all ingredients in your bread machine, in the order listed, and choose the dough only option. 

Once the dough cycle is complete, punch dough down and remove onto lightly floured surface. Shape into a round and place onto greased baking sheet. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly cover dough and let rise until doubled in size, 30-45 minutes. Once final rise is complete, slash the top of the dough to make an "X" and place in oven. Bake for 45 minutes, or until loaf sounds hollow when you tap it. Allow bread to cool, on wire rack, for at least 15 minutes before slicing. 

* For a more flaky, firm, crust: Spritz the inside walls of your oven 5 minutes into baking and again 15 minutes into baking. Make sure you do not hit any of the heating elements or your bread. 

Tuna Salad

1 Can Tuna - Drained

*Chopped Celery

*Sliced Red Grapes

*Mayonnaise 

*Sea Salt

*Optional/To taste

Combine all ingredients and allow to chill for at least 1 hour before serving

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Salted Peanut Butter Whip

Tonight Mr. Glitter Dot and I have been invited to a friends house for dinner. The theme is breakfast and we were asked to bring a fruit appetizer.

I sat at the dinning room table, mulling over the various options: fruit kebabs, fruit salad, mini apple pies, fruit whip, etc.

Been there. Done that. BORING. 

Then, I decided to go simple, apple slices and peanut butter. Hmm.... that's sort of plain though, and not the most fun. My fruit whip is yogurt combined with cream cheese (and some other things, recipe will come soon!), so what I need is a peanut butter version. 

I give you my latest, and greatest, concoction

Salted Peanut Butter Whip:

1C Creamy Peanut Butter (crunchy would do too)

1/2C Plain, Fat Free Yogurt 

(honey yogurt would work great too! or you could really be creative and use strawberry for a pb 'n' j dip ;) )

*1/2tsp Salt

*2Tbs Honey
*1Tbs Cinnamon 

*To Taste/Optional

Place all ingredients in your mixer and let 'er rip until they're perfectly combined (about 3 minutes)

Enjoy!

Told ya it was simple! 

This is an easy recipe to get creative with and would make a great after school snack. 

More pics to come when it's all put together :) 

Green Goodness

Now that the new house is getting settled, though much slower than I had hoped for, the routine of waking with Ben to make breakfast has begun. 

First up, Kale Smoothies:

Ben's smoothie - 1C skim milk, 2Tbs plain, fat free yogurt, 1 banana, 1 orange, 1 fuji apple, 3 stalks kale, 1tsp honey. Add ingredients to your blender, in that order, and viola! you have an amazingly tasty and healthy breakfast that is easy to eat on the go. 

My smoothie - 1C skim milk, 2Tbs plain, fat free yogurt, 1 fuji apple, 3 stalks kale. 

Colors are an indication of how healthy our food is. 

Don't shy away from this glass of green goodness! 

Hoping you have a smooth-ie Monday! 

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

Typically I designate Monday as baking day. With how the last several days have been, today will have to do.

Amongst the many different breads and treats on the agenda for today lies one of my favorite things to make, oatmeal dinner rolls.

I stumbled upon this recipe several years ago while looking for something to make for Thanksgiving. My mom had stacks of recipe books, catalogs, etc. and I sat on the dining room floor and sorted through all of them.

Thanksgiving is, by far, my favorite holiday so I wanted my contribution to be meaningful, full of love, tasty, healthy (ish - it is a holiday after all)... I wanted to serve a little piece of me.

These rolls have been a Thanksgiving tradition ever since.

So, that being said, I give you a little piece of my heart to serve.

From my kitchen to yours.

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

2C water
1C Quick Oats
3 Tbs Butter
2 1/2 Tsp Active Dry Yeast
1/3C Warm Water
1/3C Packed Brown Sugar
1Tbs Sugar
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
4 3/4 - 5 1/4C All Purpose Flour

In saucepan, bring water to a boil; add oats and butter, cooking for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Add sugars and salt. Let oat mixture rest until lukewarm.

In a large mixing bowl combine warm water and yeast, stirring gently until all yeast is dissolved.

Add oat mixture to yeast and stir gently, then add 4C flour and beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn dough onto floured surface and kneed until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Place dough in greased bowl, turning once to grease both sides. Cover and let rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape into balls ( I typically get 18-24) and place in greased baking pan (round, square... you want them to just be touching). Cover and let rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until desired level of golden has been achieved.

Remove and let cool on wire rack.

** Try adding some cinnamon to your dough or sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over them just before baking

ENJOY! :)