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#HorizonConfiDANCE for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

August 19, 2019 by Lindsay 1 Comment

Thanks to Horizon Organic for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

Popping in today to share a super-easy way you can make a difference in the lives of some amazing kids! One of the best decisions I made when I was in college was becoming a mentor in our local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In case you’re not familiar, BBBS has been providing children facing adversity with mentoring relationships that change lives for the better since 1904. There are currently over 150,000 Big and Little matches nationwide.

I was matched with my Little for 2 years in college and loved every minute. This organization has such a special place in my heart and I truly believe that something as simple as taking some time out of your day once a month to hang out with a kiddo going through a rough time can make SUCH a difference. My Little and I had all sorts of fun when we were partnered up. We played mini golf, did art projects, ate pizza, went shopping and more. It was fun for me and so important for her!

Currently, one of my favorite companies, Horizon Organic, is supporting BBBS with a fun little campaign called the #HorizonConfiDANCE. They recognize that every child has unlimited potential and want to help inspire them to grow, dream big and be confident. You can help by sharing your own #HorizonConfiDANCE! For every dance shared on Instagram or Facebook by September 30^th, Horizon Organic will give $5 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, up to $200k. Just use #HorizonConfiDANCE

Here’s our dance to give you some inspiration!

If your family is anything like mine, I’ll bet you and the kiddos have crazy little dance party at LEAST once a week, if not on the daily…like we do around here. This is such a simple way you can make a difference. Just snap a quick video of your next dance party and share it with the hashtag! Then refuel with a snack like we do!

Need some fuel to power your next dance party? String cheese is one of our go-to snacks! You’ll find 7 grams of protein in both the mozzarella and Colby cheese sticks from Horizon Organic. Plus, they’re super portable!

I toss them in our lunchbox for a picnic at the park or grab a couple for a quick snack after a swimming lesson or tae kwon do class. Or pair one with an apple to add some carbs and peanut butter healthy fats for a perfectly balanced snack!

If your kiddos like milk, Horizon Organic also offers single-serve, shelf-stable milk boxes. Stock your pantry and grab them when you need a quick snack that offers 8 grams of protein along with calcium, Vitamins D and B2. They’re also great for adding to lunch boxes!

We love Horizon Organic because it’s USDA certified organic, which means no added hormones and no antibiotics. Their products help power kids with a source of protein, vitamins and calcium without artificial colors or flavors because they believe “real” is what matters.

I would LOVE to see you and your kiddos do a little dance to benefit others. Be sure to tag me when you share!!

Enjoy!

–Lindsay–

Acts of Kindness for Kids

August 15, 2019 by Lindsay 5 Comments

Looking for some Acts of Kindness for Kids? Here are 75 simple ideas that can be done by kids young and old to help make the world just a little bit happier!

Hi friends!

Wanted to pop in to talk about random acts of kindness for kids. A couple of weeks ago, I shared the photo above on Instagram with the following caption:

Lately after swimming lessons we’ve been passing a lady on the corner with a cardboard sign. A few weeks ago Squish asked what it said so I told him, “Homeless. 2 kids. Need help”

We talked about how sometimes bad things happen and people need a little extra help. And about how lucky we are to have all that we do because there are a lot of people out there with less.

One of the biggest lessons I want to teach my kids is to always help when they’re able ❤️ whether it’s with their time, money or resources.

He seemed to understand but quickly moved on to another topic. This week we saw her again and totally unprompted, he said “Mom, we should get a snack for her and her kids.” And I couldn’t resist.

I recognize that there are people out there who hold signs like that as a scam. But in my heart I want to believe she’s a good person who just needs a little extra help right now.

So I turned around and we went into the store. He picked out some of his favorite crackers and I added granola bars and water and he marched across the parking lot and handed her the bag.

Talk to your kids. Have the hard conversations. Teach them to BE THE CHANGE. They’re listening.

In a world full of so much hate 💔 raise them to know the importance of being kind and helping others.

So here’s to hoping there’s a couple kids in my house learning this important lesson and a couple kids out there who are a little less hungry for the next few days.

family celebrating walking and biking 100 miles over the summer

Today Squish heads back to school and thus our #100milesummer challenge comes to an end. We hit our goal 12 days early. That means we did 100 miles in 72 days. Squish walked, biked or scootered every single one all on his own. He learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Little Miss mastered her scooter and did several miles completely on her own as well. I’m so proud of them.

Now that school is starting, we were looking for a new challenge. I realized that from the first day of school until Squish’s birthday is 75 days. After our random act of kindness after swimming lessons, I thought it might be fun to put together a list of 75 random acts of kindness so we could tackle one each day from no until his birthday.

Here’s the list I came up with-

75 Acts of Kindness for Kids

1) Pick up trash (this could be at a park, on the side of the road, in a store)
2) Send someone a card
3) Donate some old clothes or toys
4) Leave drinks for the garbage men (especially if it’s hot out!)
5) Leave cards for your neighbors on a walk
6) Pay for the person behind you in line
7) Leave a dollar in vending machine
8) Tell someone’s manager what a good job they are doing (maybe you had a great server at a restaurant or cashier at the grocery store)
9) Send a postcard to a friend (even if you’re not traveling, grab one for your fav local spot!)
10) Make meal or snack for mom or dad
11) Leave nice chalk messages on a walk (ie Have a great day! or Thanks for being a great neighbor!)
12) Make blessing bags for the homeless (fill a bag with a reuseable water bottle, socks, underwear, gloves, tooth brush and other hygiene items they might need)
13) Give a stranger a compliment
14) Invite someone to play with you (at school, at the park, for a playdate)
15) Leave crayons/ coloring book somewhere (the auto repair shop, the pharmacy, a cart at the grocery store)
16) Drop off food for firefighters or police officers
17) Make a fabric scrap blanket to donate (get a few scraps of fabric, make cuts along the edges and tie them together)
18) Make cards for sick kids at the hospital
19) Decorate a jar to save spare change to donate to charity
20) Bring your neighbor’s trash bins up driveway after trash day
21) Leave positive, empowering notes on the mirror in public bathrooms (You’ve got a great smile or you look fabulous in that color, etc)
22) Decorate a bookmark to leave in a library book before you return it
23) Bring allergy-friendly treats to a holiday gathering
24) Teach someone something new
25) Collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald
26) Leave sand toys at park
27) Decorate hand sanitizer for nurses or teachers
28) Leave a note and flower on a windshield telling someone to have a great day
29) Bake cookies for someone
30) Hold the door for someone
31) Write a thank you note for a coach or teacher
32) Color pictures for nursing home residents
33) Hide a note in daddy’s wallet or mommy’s purse
34) Offer to take a pic of a mom and her kids
35) Record an “I love you video” for grandparents
36) Make playdough for friends
37) Bake muffins for your parent’s coworkers
38) Hide a new Hot Wheels car on the playground for a kid to find
39) Put away carts in the parking lot
40) Make birthday boxes for a food panty- include things like cake mix, frosting, balloons, candles
41) Support a local farmer (shop for some fruits and veggies at the farmers market)
42) Plant wildflower seeds by the side of the road, in a parking lot etc
43) Leave a jar of bubbles at the park for others to play with
44) Make sandwiches for the homeless
45) Leave pennies for Sandy or a quarter in the cart at Aldi
46) Let a parent sleep in
47) Take out the trash
48) Do something nice for your siblings
49) Paint “I love you” rocks or tokens
50) Hide a joke for someone to find
51) Tell someone what you love most about them
52) Donate old towels to an animal shelter
53) Donate old books
54) Leave snacks for the package delivery people
55) Spread holiday cheer for an upcoming holiday (mini pumpkins with happy faces on them, heart stickers, christmas ornaments)
56) Adopt a family for Xmas (Salvation Army, Angel tree etc)
57) Leave an envelope of coupons in a shopping cart
58) Make a homemade birthday present for someone
59) Turn a jar or can from recycling into vase and fill with flowers for someone
60) Buy someone a cactus or succulent
61) Make a card for the bus driver
62) Help do the laundry
63) Bake treats for a new neighbor
64) Make a busy box to leave at a restaurant (Get a lunchbox and fill with crayons, stickers, small toys and other things to entertain kids while waiting)
65) Mail a hug (Stretch your arms out wide and trace your hands, arms and head. Cut it out and fold it up to mail)
66) Park far away to leave closer spots for someone who needs them
67) Send a good luck card for back to school
68) Help rake leaves
69) Buy something locally made
70) Leave tennis balls at a dog park
71) Wash the car
72) Pick up toys without being asked
73) Ask someone how you can help them today
74) Draw a picture for a teacher
75) Read your sibling a book

I tried to keep these acts of kindness for kids pretty general but some of these are tailored slightly to our family, the time of year etc so feel free to adjust as needed. You could pick and choose from this list to make a smaller challenge if you wanted!

I wanted to turn our list into a book so we can bring us with it over the next couple of months and refer to it when we’re deciding which act of kindness to do. I also wanted to make it somewhat visual since my kids can’t read yet, so I found images that depict the acts to make it easier for Squish to identify the one he’s looking for or make a decision.

If you’re interested in that version, you can grab your free PDF copy below. To save paper, you can print 2 or 4 pages per page when you print it out and then just cut out all the pages and staple them into a book of 75 acts of kindness for kids! (Obnoxious amount of star stickers not included) Just enter your email below!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Blueberry French Toast Muffins

August 9, 2019 by Lindsay

These Blueberry French Toast Muffins are quick, healthy and kid-friendly. Make a batch over the weekend and serve them for breakfast or pack them for lunch! They can easily be customized with different mix-ins.

Hi friends-

Last weekend I whipped up these Blueberry French Toast Muffins on a whim and they turned out SO WELL! When I shared them on IG stories, so many of you asked for the recipe that I headed back to the kitchen to recreate them for you guys. They’re perfect for food prep – ie you can easily make a batch over the weekend and serve them all week! They’re also perfectly portable for a grab and go breakfast and they’re nut-free so you can toss a few in a lunch box and send them to school with the kiddos.

I’ve made french toast muffins before, but I’ve always used a loaf of bread from the bakery. The key to this version is that they use slices of sandwich bread. So you get some texture from the crusts but the middle part kinda falls apart when you mix the eggs and bread together, creating a muffin that sticks together really well!

I added some ground flax and hemp seeds to mine because you can’t taste them and it’s an easy way to add some extra nutrients. I also added some pumpkin seeds to them. They add a little crunch, but aren’t overly sharp or crunchy like chopped nuts can be so I find them easier for young kids to eat! But feel free to swap in something like slivered almonds if you don’t need to keep them nut-free.

I used fresh blueberries but frozen would work too! Here’s how you make them:

Blueberry French Toast Muffins

Print Recipe

5 from 2 reviews

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x

Ingredients

Scale

5 cups whole wheat sandwich bread, cubed (I use 6 slices of Dave’s Killer Bread)
9 eggs
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp ground flax
2 Tbsp hemp seeds (or chia seeds)
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
(I make mine without sweetener and top with maple syrup but you could also mix 1/4 cup of maple syrup in before baking if you want.)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Put cubed bread in a large bowl.
Mix eggs and milk in a smaller bowl until combined.
Add eggs to bread and mix well.
Stir in cinnamon, vanilla, flax, hemp and pepitas.
Add blueberries and stir gently, then spoon into well greased muffin tins (I use silicone muffin tins that i don’t have to grease)
Bake at 375 F for 20-25 min. Tops should be lightly brown and firm. Middles should be slightly squishy but not loose and jiggly.

Notes

If your bread slices are smaller, you may need more than six slices. I just cut them up and loosely fill a 1 cup measuring cup to measure. It doesn’t need to be tightly packed. If you use too much bread the muffins will be too hard.

These are not traditional muffins and not meant to be sweet. They are more like actual french toast in muffin form. You can top with syrup for sweetness or mix maple syrup in before baking

I have a mix of hemp, ground flax and chia seeds and I just use 3-4 Tbsp of that

You could sub slivered almonds or chopped nuts for the pepitas if you want

You may need to play around with the egg to bread ratio to fit your preferences. I like mine a little eggier but adding an extra slice of bread will make them a bit firmer.

Serve warm or cold, topped with syrup, yogurt or peanut butter.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Emergency Trunk Bag

August 6, 2019 by Lindsay 7 Comments

Stash an emergency trunk bag in your car so you’re never caught unprepared. As a parent, you never know when things like a change of clothes, an old towel, or a pair of scissors might come in handy!

Hi friends!

Earlier this summer, I finally put together an emergency trunk bag for my car. This is something that’s been on my list for ages but I’ve just never taken the time to pull it all together. Although this bag is similar to a diaper bag, it differs in the fact that it never leaves my trunk. Sometimes, despite my best intentions, I bring the diaper bag into the house to restock it and forget to return it to the car, or accidentally leave it in my husband’s car or at a play date. The emergency trunk bag is like a diaper bag on steroids. If I need to restock it, I bring the items directly out to the car so there’s no chance of me being caught without it.

Here are some things you can include:

Old towel
Baby wipes and a roll of toilet paper
First aid kit
Large Ziploc bags for holding dirty or poopy clothes or for a barf bag
Bottled water (and formula if needed). Try to use stainless steel bottles instead of plastic if possible!
A full change of clothes and diaper for each parent and kid
Pocket knife or pair of scissors
A few non-perishable snacks (I also included some juice boxes because my husband is a type 1 diabetic)
Personal care kit including hair ties, Tylenol, tampons, cough drops and an extra pair of contacts and contact solution.
A piece of paper with phone numbers and medical info written down in case you lose your phone or are hurt/can�t remember (You can also tape this info on car seats and put it in the glove box)
Sunscreen and bug spray
Phone charger
Duct tape
Flashlight
Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer
Trash bags
Lighter
Cash and quarters
Kid socks for trampoline parks and play gyms that require them
Other bigger items to consider: a portable potty seat, blanket

Remember to set a reminder on your phone or calendar to update your bag 2-3 times a year. Change out clothing so it’s seasonally appropriate, add a couple of spare coats or a blanket in the winter. Also, label the bag as your emergency kit so first responders can easily identify it if you’re in an accident.

Here in Ohio, it gets hot, but not as hot as some places and I know some people are concerned about certain items holding up in the heat. But in my opinion, having something that will maybe help is better than not having it at all. Checking the bag a few times a year will allow you to stock fresh water, replace wipes and snacks that may have dried out, change flashlight batteries etc!

Do you have an emergency trunk bag? What am I forgetting on my list??

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Zucchini Carrot Brownies

July 23, 2019 by Lindsay 12 Comments

These Zucchini Carrot Brownies are an easy way to add more vegetables to breakfast, snack or dessert. They’re easy to make, kid-friendly and made with simple ingredients! Plus they’re dairy-free, nut-free and can be made gluten-free.

Hi friends!

Allow me to introduce you to these Zucchini Carrot Brownies – ie my new favorite snack. If I’m being honest, I had a heck of time coming up with a name for these. I hesitate to call them brownies because they’re not like the real deal. They’re more like chocolate bars. And they happen to be full of vegetables. But part of being a food blogger is catering to the search engines and most people are not heading to google to search for a recipe for chocolate veggie bars…because most people don’t think those exist!

But I’m here to tell you that they do. If you’re looking for a rich, fudgy brownie…go make one. If you’re looking for a simple snack that’s chocolatey, not overly sweet, kid-friendly and full of good-for-you ingredients, make these!

Zucchini Carrot Brownies

I’m not even really that fond of chocolate to begin with. But a lot of people are. And these are a nice change of flavor from the Lentil Banana Muffins and Zucchini Oat Bars I’ve been eating lately. They’re so good, in fact, that I made three batches in two days.

I personally like them cold out of the fridge but they’re also good warm…maybe with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or ice cream on top?

I can’t tell you that my kids love these. They don’t like chocolate desserts. Cake, ice cream, cookies…doesn’t matter…give them plain vanilla all day long.

But I can tell you that I have a high opinion of these. I love the way the recipe turned out and will continue to make these as a snack for myself. Plus I’m convinced enough of you out there will like them that they’re worth sharing ASAP!

Here’s how you make them. You’re gonna need to pull out your food processor. Have I convinced you to get one yet? Just do it. My most used kitchen appliance by far. (I have a Cuisinart 11 cup that I love- aff link) You could probably make these in a powerful blender as well.