Month: June 2017

Jell-o Building Blocks

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Jello block (5)

Take your building block play to the next level. How? With edible building blocks of course!

Kids can help with the first step of the easy preparation – sprinkle one gelatin-free jel dessert (we use Simply Delish) over 1/3 cup water in a saucepan. If you want your blocks to be extra firm, add an additional packet of unflavored jel (such as Lieber’s) – we didn’t have any on hand, so skipped that step!

Jello block (1)

Adults, heat the mixture over low heat for about 3 minutes, until the powder dissolves.

Jello block (2)

Pour into the compartments of an ice cube tray and transfer to the fridge until completely set.

Jello block (3)For the most fun, try a variety of colors! We were limited to orange and red, since those were the only flavors available at the store. For some reason, our orange came out very smooth, but our strawberry and raspberry flavors were a bit lumpy!

When the blocks had set, I surprised Travis with a plateful. Wow! Wibby wobbly building blocks.

Jello block (4)

We loved seeing how they felt…

Jello block (6)

And trying to stack them, with varying degrees of success.

Jello block (7)

And of course if you get tempted during your play, there is no problem with trying a bite!

Jello block (8)

A great variation on block play!

Nutty Banana Bites

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Nutty Banana (2)

We were in a bit of an oatmeal-or-cold-cereal rut for breakfast – then this three-ingredient idea saved the day!

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter (or other nut butter)
  • 1 whole wheat tortilla
  • 1 banana
  1. Spread the peanut butter evenly over the tortilla, almost to the edges.
  2. Top with 1 whole banana.
  3. Roll up the tortilla, and slice into 6 pieces.

How easy is that?

Nutty Banana (1)

Orange-Glazed “Chicken” Tofu

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Orange-Glazed Chicken

This recipe is similar to orange-glazed chicken on the menu at many Chinese restaurants – it’s a great way to capture the flavor for your little vegans. For big kids, serve over rice and add stir-fried veggies to make it a complete meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (1 lb) package firm tofu
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  1. Whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, and maple syrup in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the orange juice mixture; simmer over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes. Whisk in the cornstarch and cook for a final 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.