Tonight for dinner

Tonight Trav is out of town and two out of four kiddos are sick so I wanted to do something quick and healthy. So I tried this new waffle recipe with my raspberry freezer jam and a berry spinach smoothie. The kids ate everything so that's success in my book. I know you think your kids would never eat a Spinach smoothie but just try it, my kids love them and it's the easiest way to get some greens in them--trust me on this one (husbands likes them too)!

Cinnamon Oatmeal Waffles

Found on the site Everybody likes Sandwiches

(I found I had to add a lot more milk than it called for--I just kept adding until it looked right)

1 3/4 c whole wheat flour

1/4 t salt

1 T baking powder

2 c rolled oats

3 T flaxmeal

2 T ground cinnamon

1 T brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 c yogurt

3/4 c skim milk

1/4 c butter, melted

1 T vegetable oil (for waffle iron)

1. Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high. In a large bowl, mix together the first seven ingredients (flour to sugar). In a small bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt and milk and whisk to combine. Add in the melted butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix gently.
2. Using a pastry brush, coat the griddle with oil. Pour 3/4 c or so of the batter into the middle of the waffle iron. Bake until golden brown and serve with maple syrup and thick yogurt.

Berry Spinach Smoothie

1-1 1/2 cups of frozen berries

1/4 can of 100% juice concentrate (I like white grape juice but there are many yummy ones)

1 banana

1 cup lowfat yogurt (I use the nonfat plain)

Big handful of fresh spinach

1/2-1 cup of cold water or cold milk

Tonight I added protein powder (the vanilla kind from Costco) because I wasn't serving any protein

If it doesn't taste sweet enough, add a little more of the juice concentrate.

Freezer Jam

Did you know you don't have to wait until summer to make that yummy freezer jam??? I've been making mine with frozen berries from Coscto and Trader Joes for years and it always turns out just as good as when I use fresh berries.

A Mom's Challenge

I think one of the biggest challenges I face as a Mom is feeding my children and not just feeding them, but feeding them well. Making sure they eat healthy well-balanced meals. Isn't that what every Mom wants? We made it a goal for our family to start eating healthier this year. Travis and I love healthy food, but so often when I'm cooking, I cook something that I know the kids will eat (some of these are healthy, some are not) instead of cooking what we want to eat. So I am starting this blog so I have a place to gather healthy recipes that will appeal to my kids and me and my husband. I'll keep searching for recipes and try them out on my family and when we have success...I'll post the recipe here. If you want to contribute, I would love it, just let me know and I'll add you to the blog.