Chocolate-Banana-Nut Popsicles

May 20, 2020Leave a comment

Chocolate Banana Pops (2)

Roast the bananas for these novel frozen treats in the morning, and you’ll have Popsicles ready for a mid-day snack!

Ingredients:

4 bananas, unpeeled
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 cups almond milk
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wrap the bananas individually in foil and bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly, then peel and mash. Combine in a bowl with the brown sugar.
Transfer the banana mixture to a blender, along with the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth.
Divide among Popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours, or until solid.

Easy Bird Feeders

May 2, 2020Leave a comment

Easy Bird Feeder (14)

Here are a few easy ways that even a toddler can help make bird feeders! It’s never too early to teach compassion for feathered friends.

I set out a tray with all of our materials: o cereal, sunflower seeds (make sure to buy them unroasted and unsalted), pine cones, a toilet paper tube, pipe cleaners, and yarn.

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For the first version, show your toddler how to thread the o cereal onto either yarn or a pipe cleaner. The pipe cleaner turned out to be much sturdier for Veronika’s little fingers.

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Not to mention the o cereal turned out to be more fun as a snack than for threading, which was just fine!

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To complete this bird feeder, simply loop the pipe cleaner or yarn at the ends, and it’s ready to hang.

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For the next version, I gave Veronika a plastic spoon to spread peanut butter over the toilet paper tube. Punch two holes near the top to thread a pipe cleaner handle, then roll in the sunflower seeds. (Note: You can also use commercial bird seed, but I liked that sunflower seeds kept the project completely edible for Veronika… just in case!).

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We used a similar method for the third version, except using pine cones. Smear with peanut butter, and then roll in sunflower seeds.

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Make sure to use a pine cone with a stem long enough to knot a length of yarn on. Knot the other end of the yarn to a tree branch.

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We had so much fun popping outside to hang these in the branches, in early morning sunshine!

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Sure enough, we had visitors very soon, although one of the pine cones was soon stolen by an adorable and hungry brown squirrel!

Surprise-Inside Muffins

March 29, 2020Leave a comment

Surprise Muffins (2)

There’s a sweet swirl of peanut butter and jelly hiding just below the crumb topping of these muffins. If you prefer your PB&J savory, check out the cheddar meltswe made earlier this week!

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt + dash, divided
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
3/4 cup brown sugar, divided
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
2 Ener-G eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup strawberry jam
3 tablespoons Earth Balance butter

To prepare the batter, combine 1 and 1/2 cups flour, the oats, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 cup brown sugar; set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the oil, almond milk, Ener-G eggs, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
Fill the muffin cups about half way with batter. Drop 1 teaspoon peanut butter and 1 teaspoon jam over each, swirling slightly with a toothpick if desired.
To prepare the crumb topping, combine the remaining 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a dash of salt in a small bowl. Add the butter, and use your fingers to mix until combined. Sprinkle over the muffins.
Bake at 350 degrees for 23 minutes. Cool in the pans and store in an airtight container.

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Peanut Butter and Cheddar Melts

March 28, 20201 Comment

PB Cheddar (1) This gourmet sandwich is the perfect marriage of two kid classics: PB&J and grilled cheese. It’s sure to bring a smile to kids’ faces at lunchtime! Use your favorite jam for this recipe. Cherry would taste nice, as does mixed berry.

Ingredients:

4 slices sourdough bread
4 teaspoons Earth Balance butter
1/2 cup shredded Daiya cheddar
4 teaspoons creamy peanut butter
4 teaspoons berry jam

Spread one side of each bread slice with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside.
Place two of the bread slices, butter side down, in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle each with 1/4 cup cheese. Cook for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, spread the remaining two slices of bread with the peanut butter and jam, on the opposite side from the butter. Place over the cheesy bread in the skillet; flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

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Peanut Butter Sculptures

March 25, 2020Leave a comment

Peanut Butter Sculpture (4)

This fantastic sensory activity is perfect for entertaining a toddler… and it takes care of snack time, too!

I simply spooned a large glob of peanut butter onto a shallow tray, and set out a few craft sticks (or use plastic take-out knives) and circle crackers.

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Your child can use the craft sticks to make lines and movement through the peanut butter, or to build their budding knife skills by spreading it on the crackers. Once the crackers are sticky with peanut butter, you can stack them into towers and make “art”.

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Veronika loved experimenting with the peanut butter, as well as nibbling the crackers and licking peanut butter right off the craft sticks.

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She also was intrigued by the peanut butter jar, occasionally dipping in a craft stick.

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I wouldn’t recommend this activity for a toddler solo, since it’s bound to get a little messy and you’ll want to supervise.

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But a great way to keep little ones busy! Note: Use another nut butter if your child has peanut allergies, or even jam for all nut allergies!

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Peanutty Overnight Oats

March 13, 20201 Comment

Peanutty Oats (2)

These individual servings of overnight oats are perfect for hectic mornings since most of the prep happens the night before.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups plain soy milk
1 and 1/2 cups raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sliced banana
4 teaspoons agave nectar

Divide the oats and chia evenly among 4 small mason jars. Pour 1/2 cup milk over each serving and stir. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight.
Meanwhile, mash the raspberries and sugar together in a small bowl with a fork. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
In the morning, spoon 2 tablespoons raspberry mixture over each jar of oatmeal, along with 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons banana slices. Drizzle with the agave nectar.

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Frozen Candy Cups

March 7, 20201 Comment

Peanut Butter Cups (8)

My family thinks these homemade peanut butter cups are better than the store-bought kind, and I’m pretty sure your family will agree!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons coconut oil, divided
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 teaspoons strawberry jam

Combine the chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute; stir, then return to the microwave for 30 seconds, or until melted. Spoon about 1 tablespoon chocolate mixture into the bottom of 8 muffin liners. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Combine the peanut butter and remaining 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a separate bowl. Spoon over the frozen chocolate, about 2 tablespoons per muffin liner.
Dollop 1/2 teaspoon jam on each serving, and swirl with a toothpick. Freeze at least an additional 30 minutes before serving.
Serve frozen or the peanut butter will lose its shape.

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Fruity Tortilla Pizza

March 4, 20202 Comments

Fruity Pizza (2)

Pizza for breakfast? Yes please, when it’s this peanut butter-and-fruit-topped version! Or have the kids help you put it together for an afternoon snack.

Ingredients:

1 (8-inch) flour tortilla
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons blueberries
2 tablespoons sliced strawberries
1 baby banana, sliced
2 tablespoons coconut chips
1 tablespoon non-dairy mini chocolate chips

Toast the tortilla for 2 minutes on each side in a skillet over medium heat.
Transfer to a cutting board and spread with the peanut butter.
Top evenly with the blueberries, strawberries, coconut chips, and chocolate chips, then slice into quarters.

Repeat with additional ingredients to make as many of these as you need!

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Dirt Balls

February 29, 20201 Comment

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This was my first recipe not just for Veronika, but with Veronika! Yes, even a 16 month old can help in the kitchen, given a simple enough task. In this case, I involved her hands-on during several steps, including crushing graham crackers in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin, rolling sticky balls of dough, and more.

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During steps that she couldn’t help with, I sat her in the high chair with a few ingredients to sample. She loved nibbling on graham crackers and putting raisins in and out of a snack-sized box!

For the actual recipe, you’ll need the following:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup vanilla-flavored vegan protein powder
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs

In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, agave, protein powder, and raisins. Note: If you do eat dairy, you could make this recipe with dry milk powder; however, I like that using protein powder adds an extra nutrient boost to each serving!
Stir in the graham cracker crumbs until you have a workable “dough”; you may need to add a little more or a little less.
Roll the mixture into small balls. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to eat.

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Note: If you want to make “Mud Balls” instead of “Dirt Ball”, you can roll these in a little cocoa powder.

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Peanut Butter Play Dough

November 8, 2019Leave a comment

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I guarantee this is the yummiest play dough your kids will ever play with, and it’s unbelievably easy to make!

In a bowl, combine 6 large marshmallows (we use Dandies) and 4 tablespoons peanut butter. Microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds, until the marshmallows sotfen. Stir together.

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Add about 2 to 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, stirring with a spoon to combine and then working the dough with your hands until it is no longer sticky. Although there were still some chunks of marshmallow visible, our dough worked great.

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