Monday Motivation (all about food)

  I like to cook.  I like to bake. I am not a professional but, since we have to eat and sometimes it's an enjoyable experience we do it.

  Today I was super motivated and made 3 things! Now as I stated I'm not a professional so I will also share the recipes of the items!

  I think the one thing I have on my side at least is that 2 of the 3 are healthy.  The bonus is that everything is kid approved.  As a mom of picky eaters that just makes me so happy!

I started my morning with a cup of hot mint chocolate.  This was a fun recipe with its green color and I even choose to make one red in honor of the upcoming Valentines Day! Easy recipe with minimal ingredients and tasty!

Find the cocoa recipe here.

Next up was a healthy spin on cookie dough bites.  I would never try to make cookie dough healthy but, I would try to make my kids eat healthier.  Guess what 1 out of 2 kids fell for it. That's OK thats a start!  This cookie dough balls although made with chickpeas are actually quite good.  I guess there's enough sweet stuff in them to kind of coat the taste.  I thought they were a little dry but, that just means we need a class of milk with our cookies!

Find the cookie dough recipe here.

Lastly we not only needed some chocolate but we needed a dessert.  Enter the chocolate brownies!  Since I was on a healthy role I decided to stick with it.  This recipe makes a nice moist cake like chocolate brownie.  2 kid approved on this one!

Find the brownie recipe here.

  Now I'm not saying get our of hand and make everything on Monday but, I am saying if your going to make something, make it a little healthy and a lot of good!

Strawberry Patch Kickoff

  The other day we visited out local strawberry patch to pick some berries!  Nothing beats a fresh strawberry and lucky for us the season started a couple weeks earlier this year.

I had two eager helpers with me and we purchased one bucket!

  Since then I have decided to make a new monthly challenge of strawberry recipes.  This will be a little more interesting as I was able to buy a few cans of pumpkin last fall and spread it out amongst the month.  I will have to make random trips to the patch for this objective!

  The recipes will be a variety of ideas but all will showcase the strawberry.  So I will have breakfast items, shakes, smoothies, desserts and maybe I can find some interesting savory dishes.  You know by now none of the recipes are my own.  I look high and low on the Internet for recipes to try and that will continue to be the case for this challenge.

  So operation red berry starts today May 1st with shortcake!

You can find the recipe here!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/strawberry-shortcake-recipe3.html

Easter Nests

  I saw this snack and assessed my capabilities.  The ingredients were minimal and everyday my talent is increasing in the kitchen so I gave it a try!

 There are a lot of options for your "glue".  I used butterscotch chips but you could have used chocolate chips or even marshmallows.  Once you have choosen your glue.  Melt it down.

 For my nesting I used Chow Mein Noodles but here is another area that you also have some options in.  You can use cereal, pretzels and shredded coconut.  Add your nesting to the "glue" and stir until coated.

I placed the coated nests in a muffin cup to hold the shape and contain mess.  It really isn't that messy but just in case.  This also helps with portion control .

We made a few but, I would like to go back and taste the other variations.  This is an easy recipe and you can make a bunch for a classroom treat or Easter party elsewhere in no time.

My kids did not assist me with this because of the hot candy but kids could come behind you and drop the eggs in!  

  This was such a cute snack and I'm glad I tried it and hope to use it again!  

This Post Does Not Contain Coffee

 Wordless Wednesday..... my post with less words and more pictures reflects a day out with my daughter.  We were picking up a treat, having fun and using math!

  Mommy had has found a new guilty pleasure.  You all already know about my love of pumpkin, but I also love the price of saving.  Wawa I have decided is the best spot to grab my liquid pumpkin.  Best price thrown into the mix makes it the pit stop when we run errands.

 Baby girl is choosing hot chocolate today.  Normally her drink of choice is chocolate milk but she likes to change it up.

 Wawa has all these shakers to top off your drink how fun is that?  Ahh, more marshmallows please!

 You want it you buy it.  Exact change only because when you indulge you stay on top of promos right down to the tax.

Thank you and have a nice day because now with some warm chocolate in my tummy this is the best day ever!

Thank you for reading!

Check out wawa the next time it's not just about the gas! They have a huge variety of food selections as well as a hot to go made to order section.