Strawberry Banana Smoothie

We are having some hot summer weather here in Maine. No one want's to cook in this heat, so last night for dinner the kids and I kept it light with salad and smoothies.  My husband was not home, or I never would have got away with such a light dinner. He needs way more food than that, but for the kids and myself, it was a just right. The smoothie was a nice and refreshing treat. 
How are you holding up in this heat wave?

You will need:

2c. Almond Milk
1c. Frozen Strawberries
1 Fresh Banana
1 Frozen Banana

That's it. Just blend all ingredients together, and enjoy!

Choo Choo

Here is another summer lunch that was packed for a day trip. This planet box makes packing so easy, and trash free, I just love it! I would eventually like to get a planet box for each of us, but we haven't splurged just yet.

This lunch includes a train sandwich with ham, cheese, mayo, and spinach. You know he loves pickles, so I couldn't leave that out. Pretzels, orange wedges, cherry tomatoes, and raisins complete this lunch. I added a sesame chia bar for a sweet treat. Recipe shown here.

How is your summer going?

Sunbutter Cups

Look at these babies. Oh they are so good.  I cannot describe how delicious these are, you simply have to try them for yourself. It is such a great feeling when you make something so mouth watering that has only wholesome ingredients. There are no nasty additives or flavor enhancers like those that you buy in the store. This is basically candy that is safe to eat. Oh...so good!

You will need:

mini muffin cups
1/4 c. sunflower butter
2 tbs. pecan meal, or almond meal
2 tbs. raw honey
20 oz. dark chocolate, melted

Method:

Mix together the sunflower butter, pecan meal, and honey in a stand mixer. You can alternate peanut butter or almond butter for the sunflower butter, you will just have to alter your ratio a bit. The mixture needs to be thick, and able to roll into a ball.

Next, melt the chocolate using a double boiler, or a glass bowl over a saucepan with simmering water.

 

Spoon the melted chocolate into the bottom of the mini muffin cups, adding only enough to cover the bottom. Then roll a small clump of the sunbutter mixture into a ball, and flatten. Add the flattened ball to the center of the muffin cup. Finally, spoon chocolate over the top.

 Here comes the most challenging part. Waiting for them to freeze. :) I made mine around noon, and we feasted on them for dessert. Everyone had at least two.

Turkey and spinach roll ups

I actually found organic apricots  which is certainly not an every day find for me. :)

This is a lunch that I packed for my son when he went on a day trip last week.

Here we have turkey and spinach roll ups with ketchup to dip. A fresh organic apricot, that did not fit in the planet box, but did make the picture, a cup of blueberries, gluten free pretzel sticks, and a yogurt tube. Havarti cheese cut into a car shape made a fun little addition too.  I also added some chocolate covered sunflower seeds that I got a Trader Joes.

Fudge Pops

This is a perfect choice for a summer treat. Skip the high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors, and make simple treat yourself. If you have a blender, and a freezer, than this one is easy and sure to please.  We had this for dessert last night. It was delicious.

You will need:
12 oz. Vanilla coconut milk
1/4c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs. raw honey

Blend all ingredients together, and pour evenly into small paper cups. Place in the freezer for 1 hour. Add popsicle sticks, and continue to freeze until set. Enjoy.

Independence Day Pops

Happy 4th everyone!  My family and I just got home from a nice fourth of July parade on this very hot day, and now to enjoy one of these frozen fruit and yogurt pops. There really is no recipe to follow here. Just grab some frozen berries and vanilla yogurt, and start blending. Once you have poured your mixtures into the mold, simply set in the freezer overnight. I was hoping my colors would not run, but they did. Oh well, they will taste yummy to the little one's all the same. I bought this star mold from amazon, and the lollipop sticks from JoAnn Fabrics. I'm sure you could get those anywhere. Click here for the link for the star mold.

Have a safe and Happy day.

Summer Reading for mom

Have you read this series yet? 

Summer time is the perfect time to curl up in a beach chair or hammock with a good book. I love it when I find a good book, or series to capture me. I am taking part in the adult summer reading program at my local library. There are great prizes, and they are not just for the kids. My children have been reading away also. They are very motivated by prizes.They just love it.  Are you participating in a summer reading program?

 Find a sitter and take yourself to the beach to relax and read, we all know there is no relaxing at the beach when the kids are involved.  Another perfect time to read during the summer is during a thunder storm. I LOVE thunder storms. There is a certain amunt of peace about them.  Whatever little bit of time you can manage, lose yourself in good book this summer. Mommy's deserve a mental break.


*Image found here