Alternative Option: Clean(er) Eating ~Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

The sub zero cold weather is coming again to the Midwest.....  BRRRR!
Why not warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, but lets be clean about it.
Instead of a cup of the processed hot cocoa mix (that I told you about a few weeks ago Link here) how about making your own?

It's so simple and you have most ingredients in the pantry, if not they're easily accessible at the store!

 Homemade Dry Hot Chocolate mix

Makes 5 1/2 cups of dry mix

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered non-fat milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Fill mug halfway with mix (about a 1/4 cup of mix). Pour in hot water. Mix well.


 Here are a few tips that I've picked up over the years while making this.

• Put the cornstarch and powdered milk in the food processor if you have one. (It gets rid of all the lumps!) Then put it in a large bowl and use a whisk to mix together all the other ingredients. 
• You can play with the flavor a bit and add more or less milk depending on the creaminess you prefer.
•  You can also play with the type of coco you add, dark choc, milk choc, white choc, etc. 
• Finally, if you'd like, add a tiny dash of cayenne pepper will give it a great little flavor. You can also add cinnamon or a variety of there flavoring if you want to jazz it up.

Spring Educational Fun

Spring in coming.... 

That means, flower, caterpillars, and butterflies!

I am looking for some fun yet educational activities to do with my daughter during spring break. Here are some fun things I have found while perusing the web. 

http://makeitcozee.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-hungry-caterpillar-printable.html

These are some cute printable s that could easily be made into a book and then use them for some practice reading. Pick out sight words. Highlight names of foods. etc...

http://homeschoolcreations.com/gardenpreschoolpack.html

I LOVE homeschoolcreations.com. I have used several of their preschool printables last summer. This garden unit is adorable and the perfect way to learn more about spring while getting some letter and fine motor skills practice.

Engaged and Entertained Without Electronics

My daughter has become the child who often asks, "Mom, can I have your phone?" while we are traveling in the car or at the grocery store. She is looking for a source of entertainment and something to keep her mind engaged. Here is a great article about when it is appropriate to let you child use electronics.

http://www.somedayilllearn.com/streaming-movies-for-kids/

I have nothing against her using it occasionally since I keep a collection of educational apps on there for her. I keep a limit on electronics and TV time so occasional usage (short periods of time, a few times a week at most) is all I allow. I do also admit, if I am trying to focus on driving or get my shopping done quickly without interruption having that there for her to use is rather convenient.

However, as a child I was forced to use my mind to create my own entertainment and I think that is part of the reason I am creative today.

Part of me wonders, as today's society looks more and more to electronic devices to provided educational material and entertainment for our children are they going to lose some of that ability to use their imagination?

When my sister shared this Etsy shop with me and wanted to share it with all of you. Felt boards are a simple product that can allow your child tons of creative options. Allison creates some super adorable boards and characters. Just keep them in your car or bag and when your child is looking for entertainment they can create and tell their own scenes and stories over and over and again.

Felt boards allow unlimited imagination in creating a scene.

 

 

What adorable carrying case!

Perfect for a pirate story.....

Or for someone who loves to tell fairy tales.....

And how CUTE are these little arctic animals!!!

Allow your child to relive their favorite family memories by recreating the scene.

Lots more at the Etsy shop. Hours of endless, reusable, mix and match fun.



Link to Allison's Shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BusyKidActivities?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Evaluate Your Options: Homemade Fruit Snacks

My child loves fruit snacks. I don't particularly think they are great but there is something about fruit snacks that kids LOVE.

I have searched for "healthier" options. 

I tend to lean towards Mott's or Annie's when I buy them. Since starting this clean eating change I have held off, not wanting to purchase food full of sugar and corn syrup. 

But... have you ever thought making your own? 

I never had, until I saw a few Pinterest posts about homemade fruit snacks. 

Now I am intrigued. 

The Land of Nod blog really interested me. 

http://blog.landofnod.com/honest-to-nod/2014/08/kelsey-nixon-diy-fruit-snacks.html

Another great recipe is here on Wellness Mama. 

http://wellnessmama.com/8959/homemade-fruit-snacks/

I don't have the little cute shaped molds but I saw a few versions of the recipe that just cut them into tiny squares. That would easily do the trick for me. 

Have any of you made fruit snacks? 

Evaluate food Week One: Taco Seasoning

We love tacos. We eat them often. Do you? 

Do you use homemade seasoning or the store bought packets?

Take a look at a packet of seasoning that you can pick up at the store:

 

I couldn’t believe it when If you look at the ingredient you will notice that 'Maltodextrin' as the first item on the list (meaning of all the ingredients this contains the most of that). Maltodextrin is a filler found in highly processed foods and is usually made from corn. If I want corn in my taco I'll use fresh or frozen kernels not processed corn. 

Why would it be the main ingredient in a simple as taco seasoning?

 
Clean Alternative: Make your own batch of homemade taco seasoning. See my tutorial here.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 Tbsp paprika
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp dried onions
2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 tsp crushed red pepper

Gently mix all ingredients together in a bowl and store in an air tight container.

Use 2 large scoops of seasoning and 2/3 cup water per 1 pound of taco meat.

I usually triple the recipie and then I have enough for a few months.