As the weather gets cooler and we spend more time inside, I enjoy making treats--I just wish I had more time to do it!
These fun Fall Candy Treats are easy and don't take much time at all. I made a video of it, to show you!
Of course I did some experimenting--the gummy bears and Twizzlers weren't to my liking--and you should experiment with things you like. You can also coat anything in chocolate the same way.
I also love a good pumpkin spice latte. But I don't like the price or the calories or the waiting in line... So if you agree, save your time and money and try one of these lower calorie, easy to make...
FALL LATTE RECIPES!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Fill cup 2/3 full of coffee
Add milk and sugar to taste
Stir in 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Top with whip cream and a dash of spice
Easier still, use pumpkin spice creamer
Apple Cinnamon Latte
Fill cup 2/3 full of coffee
Add equal amounts of milk and apple cider
Add sugar to taste
Top with whip cream and a dash of cinnamon
Candy Corn Latte
Fill cup 2/3 full of coffee
Add milk to taste
Stir in 1/4 tsp sugar
Stir in 1/4 tsp vanilla
Top with whip cream and a splatter of vanilla
Notice what ingredient is in each of these (besides coffee & milk): a spritz of whip cream. Whip cream is awesome for sweetness on a diet--it's low calorie, low carb, and adds loads of fun and flavor!
And just for fun, I tried another experiment and video taped it for you! Check it out =)
Happy, cozy, Fall sipping!
And don't forget to enter the contest for the words of wisdom!
I don't know about you, but I have certain favorites when it comes to food and some are meant for specific occasions - such as camping! Other times though, I want to bring something new and different to keep the menu exciting and tummy's happy. One of the new things I brought on our camping trip (that I don't usually think of for camping) was 7 Layer Bean Dip! Yummy!
Now it will be obvious that I'm not super-mom because I bought this from the store instead of making it from scratch. My sanity was at stake! But we do have one of the best recipes for this - which is why I rarely ever buy it. It's so much better homemade! And hopefully there are a couple tips (secrets) with this recipe that you haven't tried yet. If you haven't - you'll love it, I promise!
7 Layer Bean Dip
1 can refried beans (mix a little salsa in with this for better texture & flavor!)
16 oz sour cream
1 packet of taco seasoning (combine taco seasoning and sour cream & mix well.)
Guacamole (homemade or otherwise)
Colby Jack Cheese
Chopped tomatoes
Sliced Olives
Chopped Green Onions
Layer in a 9 x 13 pan in the order listed (starting with refried beans). Chill and serve with your favorite tortilla chips. Easy peasy!!!
This was a great snack to bring out and let everyone munch on. I didn't have to worry about the kids eating candy or junk food and I think everyone enjoyed it even more. We make this for Superbowl parties and BBQ's as well and it's always a hit. Now I know it's marvelous on camping trips as well!
What is your favorite food on camping trips?
Leigh Covington is the mother of three active children and a full time student at Grand Canyon University, finishing her Bachelors in Secondary Education emphasis in English. Fueled by Coca-Cola, she spends the majority of her time watching soccer games or gymnastics lessons, while sneaking in a sweet treat to satisfy her chocolate addiction. She also teaches the youth at church and loves spending time reading a good book whenever she can find a free minute.
If you're going to eat, you're going to want a drink, right little mouse? And that means you'll have to stop, probably before you want to... so factor that time into your itinerary. Here's my advice for food on a road trip:
Sometimes snacks are good diversions on a road trip in themselves.
A small, soft-sided cooler comes in handy for drinks, the healthy refridgerated snacks, and those unexpected delays
Snacks will tide kids (or you) over until you're ready to stop in twenty more miles at the better exit
When picking/packing snacks - individual servings are best and I use ziplock bags to make individual servings
Raid the pantry & fridge - the stuff is going to go bad while you're gone anyway, so bring it! This is also a great time for CREATIVE TRAIL MIX
Take the last bowls of cereal from the boxes the kids think are empty and won't finish
Use the remnants of crackers, popcorn, pretzels, chips, cookies, even granola bars - just break them up, use what you have!
That's the beauty of Trail Mix - it doesn't really have to go together because none of the pieces lose their flavor so picky eaters can pick out what they like!
And if you want to make above healthier, throw in some granola, raisins, or nuts
Bringing healthy snacks is super smart - they have limited options in the car (and hotel) - if they're hungry, they'll eventually eat the healthy stuff!
Pack drinks w/lids - nuff said
Don't give kids easy access to snacks and drinks or you'll be stopping every thirty minutes. Take heart - they're bladders do get bigger as they grow and so do their appetites, but so does the ability to suppress it - trips have become quite easy with teens. (one thing in their favor!)
I’m gonna list again today. My best friend since middle school is a multi-degreed nutritionist, and I use her brain alllll the time. So. Here are my little tips and tricks to eating healthy when kids are home for the summer and want snacks and cookies every few minutes:
I’m a sucker for a good trail mix, so I bought these cute TINY bowls from Target, measure out about ⅓ cup trail mix, and I’m not allowed to eat more than that during the day. (Target’s MONSTER Trail Mix is not trail mix. It is candy. Treat as such)
When (IF) I make breakfast, I cut up zucchini, carrot, and apple slices, put them in containers, and leave them on the outer edge of the shelf for easy access. And no, if I want them dipped in ranch, I do not feel guilty about this (I only say this because I have friends who have sworn off ranch, even jalapeno ranch, and this makes no sense to me).
When I make sandwiches, I’ll slice them all into fourths, put them on a plate for kiddos to come get their share, and I only take two. Eventually, the kids will eat the rest. I also do this with quesadillas, making sure that one of them is low on the cheese and high on the beans for me.
Drink water before you eat ANYTHING. Most of the time when we think we’re hungry, we’re thirsty. Try that first. If we’re actually hungry, all that water in our stomach helps us feel fuller for longer. (This is part of Bob Harper’s Skinny Rules, which is what finally helped me shed the pounds from kiddo #2)
SKINNY POP. This stuff is awesome. Two cups of Skinny Pop Popcorn, and a glass of water, and I’m totally set.
Sometimes water is boring. Here are some suggestions: Bai (watch out for caffeine!), Sparkling water (with or without flavoring), Nuun energy tablets that are designed to be dropped in water - I’ve gotten to where a half tablet is enough (some have caffeine, some don’t). If you need a huge jolt, but don’t want to jump in and drink soda, I highly recommend hi*ball - natural caffeine. The grapefruit is the best of the calorie free, and the apple cranberry is the best with calories.
DON’T EAT THINGS THAT ARE NOT FOOD. Look at your labels and start googling some of that crap. Scary what’s allowed in our crackers and chips. Smaller ingredient lists are almost always better for you.
When I do outings with my kids, I make them take their own food and water in their own pack. That way I’m not sorting through their yummy stuff to get to my carrots.
No matter how hard you work out, you can eat more calories than you realized. I pick one day a week and type up every single thing I eat (because it’s SUMMER and I don’t want to be typing in allll my food every day). It gives me a good measure of where I’m at, and it’s not overwhelming and super time-consuming. It’s like my check-in to see if I’m about right for caloric intake, or if I’ve fallen off the wagon.
I’m a huge lover of tortilla/taco soup - Get some chicken or veggie broth and then toss in some corn, black beans, white beans, pinto beans, whatever chilis or onions you like, maybe some peas, and salsa for flavor. I’ll freeze that up and have these super easy meals. For those of you who live in places too hot for summertime soup - I do the same thing with salads. I’ll cut up a bunch of salad stuff, so I’m not eating the same one every day. I love Thug Kitchen’s take on salads - PLANT NACHOS!! I can totally get behind that.
And FINALLY… I know people who go totally without chocolate (or whatever their favorite treat is). STOP THAT. Buy the quality stuff, and when you’re dying for a sweet fix? Break off a piece. Even the most extreme diets can handle a bite or two of your favorite thing. Don’t get yourself in a position where you’re so deprived you binge. Not good for your mental or physical health.
Hopefully this is helpful… I’m far from perfect, but all these little things help me keep eating healthy so I can keep up with my ever-growing kiddos! Happy Summer Adventures Everyone!! And PLEASE PLEASE share your tips in the comments!!
Jolene Perry writes books for teens and lives in Alaska with her family, dog, cat, and tortoise.
Over the Christmas break, my son requested buffalo chicken dip. I called a friend who sent me a recipe that honestly, had far too many steps.
Being the lazy cook that I am, I whittled that bad boy down to 3 ingredients.
No one guessed I hadn't started from scratch. That's a busy housewife win.
The trick is using the already prepared and bottled wing sauce. Hey, Sweet Baby Ray worked hard to master the recipe...why should I try to compete with him, or her?
This dip is excellent on tortillas, corn chips, or toasted baguette slices.
I used fat free cream cheese, so I could dip full fat chips with half the guilt. It was still creamy and delicious. I left out the ranch dressing because 2 out of my 4 boys hate ranch, and the other 2 out of 4 can add it themselves.
