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Easy Healthy School Snack: Pumpkin Packed Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Fall is in the air! Back to school for our kiddos. Bring on the pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice muffins, pumpkin spice everything.

Baking always makes comforts me in the busyness of life, and I wanted to make something healthy for my kids for a quick grab and go for school mornings.
My kids do not like to eat breakfast on school days. Argh. 
But who could refuse some bite-sized chocolatey-chip stuffed pumpkin mini muffins?

Aiming to go for a win-win.  Eating breakfast and eating healthy. 
Making sure that the little bit of breakfast they might pop into their mouths are packed with brain-food goodness!

To begin with...
- Dark chocolate and walnuts are both good brain food! 
- Walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and good for gut health. 
- Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids which is good for brain development, and is also rich in minerals such as zinc, iron and magnesium.
- Pumpkin puree is packed with potassium to lower blood pressure, high in antioxidants and Vitamin C to help fight diseases and build immunities, and Vitamin A for eye health!

You are welcome to check out the recipe below.

This mama needs it too!
What do you like to make for back-to-school snacks?

Pumpkin Packed Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

COMBO ONE:
1 can pumpkin puree

½ cup melted coconut oil

1 egg

1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda 

2 teaspoon milk

COMBO TWO:

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon of each nutmeg, ground ginger, fine sea salt 

COMBO THREE:

1 ½ cups chocolate chips

1 cup crushed walnuts

Easy Steps:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 24 mini-muffin pan.  

Step 2: Combine “COMBO ONE” ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 3: Combine “COMBO TWO” in another bowl.

Step 4: Add combo two into the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently.

Step 5: Gentle add in “COMBO THREE”. Do not over mix.

Step 6: Use two teaspoons to scoop and drop mixture into each of the greased mini-muffin cups. Bake for 10 minutes until edges are golden and toothpick comes out clean.

Let the pan cool for about five minutes before removing on to a rack. Then enjoy!

 Warm Smiles,

Elaine

Reading is an essential part of a child's development. It helps improve their vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination. As parents, we should encourage our children to read by providing them with books that are not only entertaining but also educational. Here are 5 children's books with great messages for kids.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a classic children's book that has been enjoyed by generations. The story follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a butterfly. This book is not only fun to read but also teaches children about the life cycle of a butterfly and healthy eating habits.

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a beloved book that tells the story of a young boy named Max who travels to a magical land of monsters. This book teaches children about imagination, creativity, and the power of storytelling. It also helps children understand that it's okay to feel angry or frustrated sometimes.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is a heartwarming story about a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte. This book teaches children about friendship, loyalty, and the circle of life. It also helps children understand the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a touching story about the relationship between a boy and a tree. This book teaches children about the importance of giving and selflessness. It also helps children understand that nature should be respected and appreciated.

Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is a fun and silly book that teaches children about trying new things. The story follows Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince a friend to try green eggs and ham. This book helps children understand that it's okay to try new things and that they might actually like them.

These are just a few of the many children's books with great messages. Reading is a wonderful way to bond with your child and help them develop important life skills. So, pick up a book and start reading with your child today!

Warmly,

Going on a road trip with your family is a great way to bond and create memories together. However, long hours on the road can be tedious, especially for children. To keep everyone entertained and engaged, it's important to plan some fun games to play during the journey. Here are some of our favorite games for families on a road trip.

1. I Spy

I Spy is a classic game that never gets old. It's easy to play and can be enjoyed by all ages. To play, one person selects an object they can see and says "I spy with my little eye something that is (color of the object)". The other players then take turns guessing what the object is until someone gets it right.

2. License Plate Game

The License Plate Game is another classic road trip game that can keep everyone entertained for hours. The goal is to spot license plates from as many different states or countries as possible. You can keep track of the plates you see on a piece of paper or use a mobile app to make it more interactive.

3. 20 Questions

20 Questions is a great game for families on a road trip because it doesn't require any materials or preparation. One person thinks of an object, and the other players take turns asking yes or no questions to try and guess what it is. The game ends when someone correctly guesses the object or when all 20 questions have been asked.

4. Alphabet Game

The Alphabet Game is a fun way to pass the time and test your knowledge of the alphabet. Starting with the letter "A," players take turns finding letters of the alphabet on signs, billboards, and license plates. The first person to find all 26 letters wins.

5. Mad Libs

Mad Libs is a fun and creative game that can be played with the whole family. One person asks for different types of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.), and then fills them into a pre-written story. The result is a silly and often hilarious story that everyone can enjoy.

6. Would You Rather?

Would You Rather? is a game that can spark interesting conversations and debates. One person asks a question that starts with "Would you rather..." and gives two options. The other players then have to choose which option they would rather do and explain why.

7. Bingo

Bingo is a classic game that can be adapted for a road trip. Instead of using numbers, create bingo cards with different objects or landmarks that you might see on the journey (such as a red car, a cow, or a windmill). The first person to spot all the items on their card wins.

8. The Name Game

The Name Game is a simple but fun game that can be played with any name. One person says a name (such as "Tom"), and the next person has to come up with a name that starts with the last letter of the previous name (such as "Mary"). The game continues until someone can't think of a name.

This game can also be done with animals, place names, songs, movie titles, etc.

With these fun games, your family road trip is sure to be a success. Remember to take breaks and stretch your legs every once in a while, and enjoy the journey!

Warmly,

Dinner time at the family table is an important moment to connect with your loved ones after a long day. However, it can be challenging to make it fun and engaging for everyone. Here are some tips to make dinner time more enjoyable and memorable:

Get the kids involved in meal planning

One way to make dinner time more exciting is to involve your kids in the meal planning process. Ask them what they would like to eat and let them help you choose the ingredients. This will make them feel more invested in the meal and excited to see the final result.

Encourage conversation

Dinner time is a great opportunity to have meaningful conversations with your family. In fact, it is one of the best reasons to eat dinner together, screen-free. Ask open-ended questions about your child(ren)'s day and listen to their answers. This will help you connect with your loved ones and create a stronger bond.

My favorite question to ask my (school-aged) kids is, "What did you do at lunch today?" Their answer tells me which friends they are hanging out with, and if they are having fun at school. They also remember this information more readily than what they did in class!

Make the table setting special

A beautifully set table can make dinner time feel more special and festive. Use colorful plates, napkins, and tablecloths to create a cheerful atmosphere. You can also add some fresh flowers or candles to the table to make it more inviting.

Play some dinner games

Playing games during dinner time can be a fun way to bond with your family and create some laughter. Try games like "I Spy" or "20 Questions" to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

Have a theme night

Choose a theme for dinner and decorate the table accordingly. For example, you could have a Mexican night and serve tacos and margaritas. This will make dinner time more exciting and give your family something to look forward to.

Make cooking a family activity

Get your family involved in the cooking process by assigning tasks to each person. This will make dinner time more interactive and fun. You can also try new recipes together and experiment with different flavors.

Make dessert special

End dinner time on a sweet note by making a special dessert. You can try a new recipe or make a family favorite. This will give your family something to look forward to and make dinner time more memorable.

With these tips, you can make dinner time at the family table fun and enjoyable for everyone. Remember to be creative and have fun!

Warmly,

Chinese New Year Traditions and the Easiest Yummy Chinese Stirfry Noodles recipe!

For many years I would go into each of my three children’s classrooms each year and share about Chinese New Year Traditions and making the Easiest Yummy Chinese Stirfry Noodles for the entire class!  I always loved how the my children’s classmates would see me in the school yard or on fieldtrips and they would beg me to come and make those Chinese Noodles! I would even have parents email and text me asking for the recipe every year! Keep reading for some quick fun facts about Chinese New Year Traditions and the Easiest Yummy Chinese Stirfry Noodles recipe!