Peanut Butter Apple Snack

Lately it feels like all my boys want to do is snack! They are constantly coming into the kitchen saying that they're hungry. I have been getting bored with giving them the same few things to snack on, so I thought I would turn to Pinterest. I found a recipe like this by Kids Kubby. I slightly modified it based on what I had on hand. It's a quick, easy, healthy, and fun snack that the kids will love!

Ingredients:

-Apples

-Peanut butter

-Unsweetened coconut flakes

-Dark chocolate chips

-Cinnamon

Directions:

Slice the apple in thin slices as shown above. Then using a small heart shaped cookie cutter, or a pairing knife cut the core of the apple out in a heart shape on half of the slices. On the other halves I removed the core by cutting a smaller hole. Then spread the peanut butter on these halves. Top with coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Then cover each with the slices that have the heart shapes in the center. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy!

This is an easy snack to mix up with your favorite ingredients. Here are some other ideas: 

Almond butter

Honey

Granola

Nutella

Oats

Yogurt

Nuts

Raisins

Homemade Tortilla Chips

These are homemade baked tortilla chips that are super easy to make. Great for a party to go with a dip, because you can serve them warm out of the oven! They are light, flaky, and can be seasoned however you'd like.

Ingredients:
-5 raw flour tortillas (i buy mine at Costco, and freeze one pack until ready to use)
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-Salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stack your raw tortillas on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife slice them into triangles. Lay a single layer of triangles on a baking sheet. They can overlap slightly. Next drizzle with olive oil and season with salt (or your favorite seasoning). Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until bubbling up and golden brown. Repeat with another batch, until all of your tortillas chips are cooked.

DIY Water Bombs

Hudson has been asking to play with water all winter long and this week it is in the 90's, so I finally said yes! I looked on Pinterest for some ideas and decided we would make some water bombs. I found a tutorial HERE from House of Hepworths. These are really easy to make and the boys enjoyed helping.

Supplies:
-Basic sponges, in a variety of colors
-Small elastic hair ties
-Scissors

Step 1: cut all the sponges into fouths, lengthwise.
Step 2: Stack the sponges into 2 rows of 4. Hudson liked choosing the colors and creating patterns.
Step 3: Wrap the 2 rows with a small elastic hair tie or you could tie it tight at the center with fishing line.
*You will use 2 sponges to create 1 water bomb.

Water Bomb Game Ideas:

-Create a target with chalk on pavement and toss water bombs.
-Line up different size buckets worth different points and toss bombs into buckets. Keep score.
-Water bomb toss
-Water bomb tag

Albion Fit Giveaway

I recently came into contact with Albion Fit, they sell women's fitness clothing and stylish swimwear. I love my Classic Racerback tank. It has a snug fit that is very flattering and comfortable.

Albion Fit would like to offer a Free Classic Racerback tank (shown below) to one lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway you must first "Like" Albion Fit on Facebook HERE.

Next visit Albion Fit and pin your favorite item onto one of your Pinterest boards.

Leave a comment below, in this blogpost, with the link to your pin.
Giveaway ends Friday, February 22nd, 2013.

Albion Fit is also offering an exclusive promotional code for all of you!

Save $15 on any purchase of $50 or more!

Use code: domesticcharm15

Offer expires 2/25/13

Tilapia with Black Bean Salsa

This is a quick and easy dinner to make. I love cooking tilapia! We eat it for dinner a lot so I always have a bag of fillets from Costco in the freezer. The fillets thaw really fast, so it can make a great last minute dinner. I got this recipe from my mom, she is always thinking up great recipes!

Ingredients:

• 2 to 4 tilapia fillets
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced
• 1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• seasoning for tilapia

Saute the garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeno in the olive oil until tender. Add the can of tomatoes and the can of black beans. Season the tilapia fillets with either salt and pepper, or I sometimes use the recipe below. Place the fillets in the pan and let it cook in the simmering juices for about 8 to 10 minutes flipping the fillets halfway through. Once the fish is cooked through remove from the heat and add the cilantro.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Yield: 2/3 cup

Wesley's Nursing Party

We celebrated my sister Wesley last month as she graduated Nursing School. I am so proud of her and so excited for her to begin her new career. She is going to be an amazing nurse! 

I themed the desserts in the colors mint green and red. I made a variety of nurse themed fondant cupcake toppers. Some with pills, scrubs, band aids, red crosses, and stethoscopes. I topped the mini cupcakes (below) with small red fondant hearts.

The cupcakes were Wesley's favorite; Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and a Peanut Butter Filling.

We made a Dirty Shirley Punch.

 

I made heart sugar cookies and frosted them with royal icing designs of heart shaped stethoscopes and EKG patterns. The recipe for the sugar cookies is by Sweetopia, you can find the recipe HERE. It is great for cut out cookies that you plan to frost because the cookies come out nice and smooth.

I placed this nurses prayer on a canvas for my sister to take home.

Found the nurses prayer via Pinterest.

Congratulations Nurse Wesley!!!

Salmon with Cucumber Pineapple Salsa

I typically make a mango salsa with salmon, however tonight i had fresh pineapple on hand, so I decided to try something new. I adapted this recipe from one of Martha Stewart's here. Her original recipe looks really good, however I did not have all of the ingredients. I'm also trying to stay away from anything spicy in my diet while breastfeeding and her recipe called for a jalapeno. I added some spice to the salmon instead, using Emeril Lagasse's Essence seasoning. It's easier to control the spiciness this way. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cucumbers, finely diced
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper
• 3-4 salmon fillets
• Olive oil
• Essence seasoning

Directions:

In a bowl whisk together the lime juice, honey, and vegetable oil. Add the cucumber, pineapple, and green onion. Stir together and season with salt and pepper.

Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with the essence seasoning. Broil the salmon in the oven for about 12-15 minutes. Serve over rice or quinoa and top with the salsa. 

Granola with Coconut, Pistachios, and Cranberries

I saw a recipe for Toasted Muesli in my Whole Living magazine and was excited to try it. However, I was unable to find the millet that it called for when I was at the store, so I improvised. You can find the original recipe here. I left out the millet and added wheat germ, flax seed, chia seed, and cinnamon. This makes a great healthy breakfast or snack. Eat is plain or serve with yogurt, milk, or fresh fruit.
I was originally unsure the difference between Muesli and Granola, however I believe that most muesli is not sweetened with honey and toasted. So I am just going to call mine granola...

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup shelled pistachios
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 1/4 cup chia seed
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl toss together the oats, coconut, pistachios, wheat germ, and seeds. Then is a small saucepan over medium high heat whisk together honey, coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Pour over the granola mixture and toss to coat. Spread the granola onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. I tossed my granola halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool. Toss in the dried cranberries. Store in an airtight container.

This is a great basic recipe that can be altered to create new granola recipes. You could replace the pistachios with any other kind of nut or even chocolate.

Vegetarian Chili with Avocado Salsa

I realize it is still 110 degrees outside... but I still made chili for dinner tonight. I am ready for some cooler weather and all the Fall food that comes along with it. This is a really yummy chili recipe that is different then most. It's a vegetarian chili topped with a fresh avocado salsa. I got the recipe from my Mom, who always made this for us. However, I think it originally came from Cooking Light. This time I made it I added some corn to the recipe.

Ingredients:

-2 teaspoons canola oil
-1 cup onion, chopped
-1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
-2 teaspoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-3 garlic cloves, minced
-1 4.5oz can diced green chiles
-2/3 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley
-1/4 cup water
-1 15oz can black beans, drained
-1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
-1/2 cup frozen corn
-1 14oz can vegetable broth
-3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
-1 lime, cut into wedges
-Tortilla chips
-Avocado salsa (recipe below)

Directions:

Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and saute until tender. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and green chiles. Saute 1 minutes. Stir in the barley, water, tomatoes, corn and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer. Cook about 20 minutes or until barley is tender. Stir in cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, chips, and avocado salsa.

Avocado Salsa

-1 avocado, cubed
-1/3 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
-1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
-1 tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and diced
-1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
-1/8 teaspoon sea salt

 Toss together in a bowl and serve over the chili.

Tofu Pad Thai

Tofu Pad Thai is always what I order when Casey and I eat out for Thai food. For that reason I was excited to try making it at home, but also wary that I wouldn't be able to make it as tasty as they do at the restaurants. However, I really liked how this recipe turned out! By making it at home I knew, and could taste, that it is was healthier. I followed the recipe from Martha Stewart, however slightly modified it.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces rice noodles
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving (3 limes)
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark-brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 package firm tofu, drained, thinly sliced
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
• Vegetable oil
• Sesame oil
• Coarse salt
• 5 tablespoons roasted salted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped plus more for garnish

Directions:

Soak the rice noodles according to package instructions. Whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat about 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Add eggs and cook until just set, then transfer eggs to a cutting board and cut into pieces. Next add some vegetable oil and and a little bit of sesame oil to the pan and heat. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Next add a little more of both oils to the skillet with the carrots, garlic, and scallion whites. Cook until softened. Add the lime-juice mixture and bring to a simmer. Now toss in the noodles, eggs, and tofu until heated through. Place noodles onto plates and top with peanuts, cilantro, and scallion greens. Serve with lime wedges and garnish with extra cilantro.

*If you want it spicy you can add chili sauce such as Sriracha sauce to the lime-juice mixture.

Salmon with Mango Salsa

Here's a great recipe for Salmon with Mango Salsa, it's one of Casey's favorites! However, salmon has a lot more to offer then just great taste. It is packed full of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help protect our bodies from heart disease, promote healthy skin and joints, and they are essential to the proper neurological development in children and unborn babies.

Salmon with Mango Salsa

2-4 Salmon Fillets
Olive oil
Seasoning mix:
1 tablespoon paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Heat large cast iron skillet over very high heat until it is beyond the smoking stage. Combine seasoning mix in a small bowl. Rub each fillet with olive oil then sprinkle seasoning mix generously and evenly on both sides of the fillets. Place in hot skillet. The fillets can also be grilled with this recipe on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side.

Mango Salsa:

1 mango, cubed
1 avocado, cubed
1/4 cup red onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

Toss all of the ingredients together and serve over top of the Salmon.

Baby Taggie Blanket Tutorial

 I haven't sewn anything is a while, but now that my due date is approaching I have been thinking of lots of baby girl sewing projects. The trouble is finding the quiet time to make them, but this taggie blanket is super quick and easy to make! It would make a great handmade baby gift. 

 

Supplies:

-Two 16" squares of fabric
(I used two different colors and patterns of minky fabric
that I bought locally from Create Your Own Joy Studio)

-16 to 20 5" longs pieces of ribbon (I chose 3 different colors and sizes)

-Scissors

-Pins

-Sewing Machine

-Thread

 First place your 16" square pieces of fabric with the right sides facing each other.

 Next cut 16-20 pieces of ribbon each 5" long.

 Begin folding the ribbon in half to create the tags for the blanket.

 Tuck the ribbon with the folded edge inside the two pieces of fabric, leaving some of the other side sticking out. Pin each ribbon into place.

 Once all of the ribbons are pinned into place you can sew along the edges. When I passed over each of the ribbons I sewed back over then 3 times to make sure they held in place. Also make sure to leave a small opening in between two of the ribbons so that you can turn the blanket the right side out when you are done sewing. 

 Once the blanket is turned right side out it should look something like this. Now you can sew up the small hole either by hand or with your sewing machine. Then you are done!

Easy Dinner Recipes

Mediterranean-Style Brown Rice Bake via Food For My Family

This was a really easy dinner to throw together! I even made mine earlier in the day, stuck it in the fridge and when we got home later that evening it was ready to go in the oven for a quick 30 minutes.

Greek Turkey Meatballs via Skinny Taste

This is a great healthy dinner; meatballs without all the carbs to go with them. We ate ours with a Greek Salad on the side. I improvised a bit with this recipe for the meatballs using what I had on hand and they came out great. Don't forget to make some taziki for on top!

Avocado Basil Pasta via Recipe.com

This is a really easy dinner to throw together quickly. I made mine with whole wheat bow-tie pasta and used freeze dried basil instead of fresh.

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad via Nutmeg Notebook

I love salads for dinner, especially in the summer because it means I don't have to heat up my kitchen. For the chicken in the salad I bought a rotisserie chicken and in place of sour cream in the salad dressing I used Greek Yogurt.

I love finding new recipes on Pinterest, however I pin way more then I am able to keep up with making! These are a few recipes that I have actually made, tried, and loved! Hope you enjoy them as well! You can follow my Recipe Board HERE.

Black Bean and Goat Cheese Quesadilla

There are many days during the week that I am eating peanut butter and jelly with the boys for lunch, but when I am wanting a little something more this is one of the lunches I often turn to. It is quick and easy to throw together, and my kids sometimes like it too. It could also make a good appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of Refried Black Beans with Jalapenos
• 1-2 tablespoons of Fresh Cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons of Goat Cheese, crumbled
• 2 Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 1/2 Avocado, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of Butter

 Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat with butter. Spread the black beans onto one of the tortillas, then sprinkle with the cilantro and goat cheese. Press the other tortilla on top and saute in the butter, flipping half way through. Cook until the tortilla is golden brown on both sides. Use a pizza cutter to slice. Serve warm with sliced avocado and garnish with cilantro.