Caprese Salad

With the basil still abundant, we needed a few more recipes that included this favorite herb of mine.  I ran across this traditional simple salad from here and it very quickly became a favorite.  I hope you will enjoy it too, while the tomatoes are still ripening and the basil is tasty!

Recipe for caprese salad: 

A Country Farmhouse

fresh picked tomatoes (we used store-bought)

fresh picked basil

fresh mozzarella (in a pinch, I use cheese sticks cut-up)

 olive oil and balsamic vinegar 

salt and pepper to taste

simple summer: yogurt granola parfait

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They say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

I am not a huge fan of the meal myself but I do understand the importance of the meal to little growing bodies.  

This is a simple and healthy breakfast that can be prepared in a snap.  

My kids like it because it looks like desert instead of breakfast.

Yogurt and Granola Parfait

1/4 cup granola (here is a recipe for making your own)

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I like Greek yogurt)

1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup

Place the granola in the bottom of a clear glass or dish.  

Add yogurt on top.  Drizzle with maple syrup.

recipe courtesy of Real Simple

simple summer: strawberry popsicles

Williams Sonoma

A hot afternoon with a popsicle is the epitome of summer around here.

When I happened upon these super fun popsicle molds on clearance at a store recently, I knew they would be a big end-of-summer hit.  I got a box of them and tried them out the other day.  I think you could probably freeze anything in that cute strawberry shape and just about any kid would eat it.   We have used crushed strawberries with a bit of water and juice and juice to make our popsicles.  Maybe I will try spinach tomorrow--hee, hee.

Here is the recipe we used:
2 cups fresh crushed strawberries OR any other kind of berry you want
3/4 cup water
3 Tbs sugar
recipe courtesy of the Williams Sonoma popsicle box

These molds are awesome because the popsicle just comes right out of the silicone.  No standing in front of the sink holding the molds under hot water to release the frozen popiscle from the frozen plastic.  I have done that many a time and find it quite frustrating with a child pulling at the bottom of your shorts begging for their little treat.

I wanted to share this revelation in popsicle molds with my fellow mommas, just in case your kids are as crazy about popsicles as mine are.

Enjoy!

simple summer: i heart popcorn

Did you know you can make popcorn in the microwave with a paper bag? 

 All you need are these simple things:

a paper lunch sack

tape

popcorn kernels

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and, of course, the microwave.

If you want, you can also add some seasonings too OR just eat it plain.

For me, it is a great substitution for those crunchy snacks I crave in the middle of the hot day. 

It is a super healthy whole grain snack...and quite tasty too!

Homemade Microwave Popcorn:

 1. Put 1/4 cup popcorn in a brown paper lunch sack.  

Fold the top over a few times and tape it closed

2. Place in the microwave tape side up for about 2-3 minutes or until there is 5 seconds between pops.

3.  Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of www.snack-girl.com

what's for lunch?

As summer begins to dwindle, I can't help but think about packing lunches each day.  In the beginning, I am revved up to concoct artful and creative packaging to entice a sometimes picky eater.  As the school year progresses, I must admit that this excitement fades and the lunches seem to appear more and more identical.

BUT for now, I will revel in my excitement and attempt some artful creations inside the little lunch sack she carries each day.

Have you ever seen this fun blog?  This mom makes super cute lunch displays in her son's lunch each day.

  They are amazing.  While I won't be making such creative food arrangements in my girl's lunch sack, I do enjoy being inspired to try new foods and mixtures of foods.  

She also has a ton of great healthy recipes too.

I also really enjoy serving a variety of color each day.  Even if she picks at the veggies and devours the fruit [and always the carbs], at least she will be exposed to a healthy mixture.

These are our favorite staples for snack-time during the school year.  They are all healthy and a snap to pack.

These are our lunch sack staples.

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Less always seems to be more when it comes to lunches.  So many times, I pack a ton and she comes home with nothing eaten.  It is almost as if it defeats her to even try to eat it.  This year I am going to focus on mini-portions.  "Mini" definitely seems to go over better in the lunch sack.  Mini portions seem to entice the little hands.

While I love my girl's compact and sturdy lunch sack, I am considering a Bento box to help compartmentalize and separate the foods.  

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I know a friend that uses silicone cupcake liners to separate foods too.

Another friend always cuts her son's sandwich with a fun-shaped cookie cutter.

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What are you packing for lunch this year?  Any ideas/creations to share?