S'more Snack Mix

Being summer we have had a ton of company and have attended many BBQ's.  This snack mix is a great dessert for kids (and adults) and so quick to make.

S'more Snack Mix

Golden Graham Cereal
Mini Marshmellos
Chocolate Chips

Mix together equals parts of cereal, marshmellos and chocolate chips....poof, done!

*recipe originally found on Pintest.

Project AmeniT's...keep the donations coming!!

I have been receiving a few donations here and there, it really gets me excited to see the donations come in! 

Remember, I am collecting hotel and / or travel sized amenities for adults, teens, children, and infants (boys and girls).  I am also collecting BRAND NEW underware and socks.

Thank you so much for your support and keep the donations coming!!

S'more Bites

I have been finding a lot of really great recipes on Pintrest.  Here is a very easy, very impressive looking treat that anyone would love.  I make these for our last Park Playdate and there wasn't one left.

Enjoy!

S'more Bites

Sticks of some sort
Large Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips
Graham Cracker Crumbs

Line a cookie with parchment paper.

Simply melt your chocolate chips.  I melt them in a mug in the microwave (this way you can hold on to the handle when it gets hot).  I do about 20 intervals at a time so that I don't burn them, stirring after every interval.  Note that when you are making these, you can always reheat your chocolate if you find it is getting cool and thick.
 
Place graham cracker crumbs into  a shallow bowl.

Place your stick in the centre of the marshmallow, dip into melted chocolate, shake off excess chocolate, dip into graham cracker crumbs, and then place onto the lined cookie sheet.

I put my cookie sheet full of S'more Bites into the freezer to set.

EAT!

T's Roasted Corn Salad

I had some left over cooked corn on the cob left over, so I roasted it on the BBQ along with some other veggies.  I then tossed with some of my favorite flavors, and, voila.

T's Roasted Corn Salad

2 cobs of corn, fully cooked, roasted, and kernels removed
2 red peppers, roasted, centres removed, and chopped
1 medium sized red onion, roasted and chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 avocados, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup cilantro chopped

Toss all ingredients in a large bowl.

Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a sealed jar and shake.  Pour over salad just before serving.

I serve this salad with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.



Roasted Corn:  I usually take left over corn on the cob and roast it on the BBQ over medium  to high heat until brown.  Allow to cool slightly and then cut off the kennels.


Roasted Red Pepper:  Wash your peppers.  Roast over medium to high heat on the BBQ until charred.  Place in a paper bag or in a bowl covered in saran wrap.  Once the peppers have cooled, peel off the outer skin and chop.

Roasted Red Onion:  Cut your onion into three and grill on medium to high heat until grill marks appear.  Allow to cook slightly and chop.

Park Playdates, Potluck Style

The older my children get, the less and less time it seems I have with my friends.  You think when school is out for summer, that you could catch up, but I almost seem busier then.  With this in mind, last year, I set up a playdate at a park and asked everyone who came to bring a little something for the snack table.  This is such a great way to see your friends (and lots at one time), for your kids to see their friends, get fresh air, and have some great treats...heck you might not have to make lunch.  Below are a few tips to help you plan yours....

• Choose a date.  I don't like to do weekends because the parks seem way too busy.  You are so pre occupied watching your kids that you don't get a good visit in.

• Choose a time.  Early mornings work the best.  It is still not too hot out, people with younger children won't miss their bedtimes, and the park is usually quieter.

• Choose a park.  Choose a park that you are familiar with and know.  It should also be central for everyone.

• Send out invites. I find that creating an event on Facebook works the best.  People can post on the wall, you can post a link for a map on how to get to the park, and you can get a good idea of who is in and who is not.  Don't forget to ask everyone to bring a little something for the snack table.  Include your cell phone number so people can call you if they get lost on the way.  You probably want to send out the invitation at least a week in advance so people can plan to come.

• Send out a reminder.  A day or two before your playdate, send out a reminder email.  I know that with all that is going on, I totally would forget my head if it wasn't attached.

• What to pack.  Before you head out, you should have some essentials with you.
• Paper plates
• Napkins
• Knife
• Two garbage bags.  One for garbage and the other for recycling.
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray
• Plastic table cloth.  You never know what condition picnic tables are going to be in.
• Wet wipes
• Outside toys like soccer balls or a frisbee.
• Weights....like balloon weights or a paper weight.  Use these to hold down your plastic table cloth, plates, and napkins.

• Arrive Early.  Come early and set up.  You can also scope out the site.

• Have Fun!

Homemade-Whole Wheat Fozen Mini Pizza's

These are a quick and easy healthy meal to have on hand.

Pizza Dough

1 cup warm, not hot, water
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp yeast

When I make my pizza dough, do it all in my bread machine as I have a "pizza dough" setting.  If you do not have a bread machine follow the instructions below.

In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.   
           
Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.               

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a round until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

Take a medium sized bowl (or whatever size radius you want your pizza's to be) and turn in upside down on the dough, using a small knife trace the outside of the bowl to get a small pizza round.

Once you have cut out your rounds, place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and top with your favorite toppings.



Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the pizza's are completely frozen.

Once frozen, alternate the pizza with the parchment paper on the cookie sheet to avoid the pizza's sticking together while being stored.

Place the pizza's in a large Ziploc bag and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

Do not unthaw the pizza's, cook frozen on a lined cookie sheet (or pizza stone) at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake, with Cupcake Variation

When I was home visiting my mom last week, she made this fantastic cake with the kids.  It is so good.  We are going to a potluck play date tomorrow, so I made a cupcake variation....enjoy.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup butter
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbs cocoa powder

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease on 8x8 pan.

In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats and butter.  Mix in boiling water.  Set aside to cool.

Beat together the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Add to cooled oat mixture and mix well.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and coca.  Add to wet ingredients and mix well.  Spread into the greased pan.

Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Remove from oven, allow to cool, and remove pan.

Cup Cake Variation:

For cupcakes, bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.