Image Map

Monday, June 20, 2016

Fruit Cups

I'm sure I'm like most of you out there, when you ask yourself, how can I add fruit or veggies to my lunch or dinner? It gets hard to always have fresh fruit and veggies for every meal. So I am happy to say, I have found a simple solution!

 I recently came upon small glass bowls at a local dollar store. I saw them and thought, "Those are the perfect bowl for fruit and veggie cups! Not to big, not too small, just the right size (as Goldilocks would say)." So...I got them. 
(I have to admit, I also thought they would be a great little dessert cup!)

We've been using these about 3 times a week for dinner, and random lunches. They're so fun. You cut up what fruit you have on hand and serve! No cooking or prepping before hand (other than chopping). My kids call them "rainbow fruit cups." I try, (notice the word TRY) to get as many colors as I can into the cup. Some day's I also try to just get all fruit the same color. It gets pretty fun! I love knowing I'm providing my family healthy natural fruit, that goes with ANY meal! Fast, easy and DELISH! 


Fruit Cups

Some of our favorite combinations:

-Apples, Oranges, Kiwi (as shown above)

-Apples, Bananas, Oranges

-Kiwi, Blueberries, Strawberries

-Raspberries, Bananas, Mango

-Watermelon, Raspberries, Strawberries (Red cup)

-Oranges - Mango - Cantaloupe (Orange cup)

-Kiwi - Honey dew - Green Apples (Green cup)

You get the idea! Have fun with it, enjoy fresh fruit cups with your family and friends! DELISH!

*** Sometimes our favorite fruits are very expensive, sometimes it's cheaper to buy them frozen. I take out some frozen blueberries (for example) and rinse them in a colander under warm water to thaw them out. They taste AWESOME! We do this with a lot of berries!



Linking up here

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Lemon Cake Cookies

These decadent drops of heaven are seriously amazing. Lemon Cake Cookies, you wouldn't believe they're made from a cake mix! Only 4 ingredients make these lovely ladies.

My mom and I were taste testing half of these cookies and she had mentioned that these would be perfect to serve for a shower. Baby showers, bridal showers etc. They're light and have the perfect flavor. I couldn't have agreed with her more! 

I don't know if I've ever said on this blog or not, but I have an obsession with cookies. I would rather have a soft cookie than a piece cake any day. And what flavor of cookie is my favorite you ask? I honestly would have to say it depends on my mood. Some days I need a sweet chocolate to satisfy that craving, and others I need a sweet/tart like these lemon cookies. 

Everyone has different moods and emotions, it's the same way with food. 
What is your mood food today?
The day I made these, mine was LEMON! DELISH!


Lemon Cake Cookies

1 Lemon Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/3 c. Oil
2 T. Lemon Juice

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 

2. Place by rounds on a greased cookie sheet.

3. Bake at 350' for 8 minutes


Need more delicious Cookie Ideas?
I've got you covered! 
http://cookandcraftmecrazy.blogspot.com/2013/01/cookies.html

Linking up here

Friday, June 10, 2016

M&M Cake Mix Cookies

Easiest cookies EVER!
My kids LOVE anything with M&M's. I mean who doesn't!? They're bright, colorful, and delicious!

I made these for our church's youth group on Wednesday. I cranked 40 of these puppies out using only 2 cake mixes! SCORE! They were a big hit. These would also be a fun birthday party cookie.

 These confectionary trinkets are also made in less than 20 minutes. SWEET! 
And... they're made with a cake mix so it's even easier/faster prep! Check it out!


M&M Cake Mix Cookies

1 Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
2 Eggs
1/3 c. Oil
1 tsp. Vanilla
------------------
1 c. Plain M&M's


1. In a bowl combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla until well blended. 

2. Fold in M&M's. 

3. Place by rounds on a greased cookie sheet. 

4. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

Serve with cold milk! DELISH!


Need more scrumptious cookie recipes?
I've got you covered! Click HERE!

http://cookandcraftmecrazy.blogspot.com/2013/01/cookies.html


Linking up here

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Homemade Summer School

My little girl is going into Kindergarten this fall and she is totally pumped! I'm super nervous and also really excited to have her start on her education journey. Well, she just graduated preschool and the day after graduation she asked, "Is preschool today?!" I had a very distinct impression I need to do more for her this summer to help her keep the education she has gained, fresh. I also know how much she loves to learn and make projects so I decided to make her a "Homemade Summer School." This is definitely also for my active 3 year old boy who wants nothing to do with writing. He will greatly benefit from a little bit of pre-learning before he goes into preschool. 

I pooled together what I already had on hand and I am BEAMING with how it all turned out! I was shocked when I saw that I had everything to put our school wall together. 
We will be doing 3 days a week so WE don't get burned out. This will take a bit of planning and creativity, but thanks to the dollar store and their alphabet work books, and crafts this will be a cinch! 


Contents of the wall

1 capital/lowercase alphabet printed out on brown paper, cut with a circle punch then glued to a long strip of thick green wrapping paper! Use what you have! This took me 20 minutes to make!

1 green chalkboard - given to me by my sister a few weeks ago. (Thanks Candace)

2 bulletin boards with large black clips to post letter of the day, shapes, or artwork.

1 "Number Board" aka: scrap piece of wood with large black number stickers on it! 

1 magnetic dry erase board to use for circle time.

Desks or kids table. My little girl sits in her desk and my boy loves his kids table! 
It works great for my 2 kiddos. Seat according to the number of "students" you have!


Summer School Lesson Plan

Pledge of Allegiance 
(I bought a small flag to hang on the wall not it the picture)

Circle Time
1. Weather of the day
2. Letter of the day
3. Shape of the day
4. Color of the day
5. Number of the day

Workbook  Time
 Letter of the day page, and number of the day page
(Dollar Store Alphabet Workbooks)

Art/craft
Finger painting, chalk board drawing, color page, etc.

Story Time
Books with the letter of the day, color of the day, etc.

End of learning hour
Play time outside, inside, park, run errands to the grocery store. ANYTHING! Go get moving! IT'S SUMMER!




Check out a few fun kids crafts you could make for craft time!
http://cookandcraftmecrazy.blogspot.com/p/crafts.html 

Linking up here