babyfood : lemon coconut breakfast bars

This is another recipe from Superfood Kitchen.  Max is obsessed with breakfast bars.  I mean the enriched white flour with evaporated cane juice filling kind.  That's why I wanted to try these, I need to find something he thinks is yummy that I can still have ready made in the morning before I'm able to function.  And Lola could eat these, so that was an added plus.

Lemon-Coconut Breakfast Bars

1 1/2 T. chia seeds

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup oat flour

1/2 t. baking powder

pinch of salt

3/4 c. + 2 T. shredded dried coconut

2 T. fresh lemon zest

2 T. coconut oil

2 T. applesauce

1/4 c. maple syrup

1/2 c. Medjool dates (I used whatever kind they had at the store)

The chia seeds (same as are used on chia pet- what?) are one of the superfoods in the book.  They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, packed with antioxidants, have lots of important minerals and are a good source of fiber.  I'm sold.  You can't see or taste them in these bars.

The dates and maple syrup make these super sweet and the shredded coconut make them seem like a real treat to Max.  Everything cooked soft enough for Lola to eat them too.

We had an indoor picnic, the kids thought that was fun.  It's been so rainy lately.

Feeding bear-bear.

Ignoring her party guest.

babyfood : fruity gelatin

I've had the book The Petit Appetit Cookbook since Max was born.  It has gone hand in hand with my Babycook.  It has recipes divided into age group from The Beginners: 4-6 months to The Connoisseurs: 3-6 years.  My personal favorite are the Banana Apple Bran Muffins.  I have made these so many times I can whip them up by memory in about 7 minutes flat.  I'm sure I will post many recipes from here, I love it.  So it makes me a little sad that this is the first one because it wasn't that good.  I decided to post even the recipes that fail.

Fruity Gelatin

1 envelope gelatin
1/4 c. hot water
1 c. apple puree

They were way too gelatin and not enough apple.  Or sweet... something.  Neither of the kids liked them.

Max took one nibble and Lola squished them in her hand.  So we just played instead.

Waiting and watching for Daddy.

He's home!

 Love them.

my girl + vintage dresses = the cutest

My sweetest, sweetest, sweet pea.  She is so beautiful to me.  I can't believe she's almost a year old already.  She is walking, rolling on the floor throwing temper tantrums, signing all done and more, bringing books to us to read, smiling when she'd doing something naughty, getting curls just like Max.  She is such a happy baby and so full of personality, I know she is going to give us a run for our money.  And she loves her brother.  The way she looks at him makes my heart melt.  My Lola.

Could these little dresses be any cuter?  My mom made them.  She makes dresses and tops from vintage embroidered linens.  They are so soft and sweet.  Just like Lola.  If you are interested, she will be in Naperville this Thursday, April 25th at the School Readiness Center from 7-9pm.  Or you can go to her Etsy site.  Or go to her website and message her with what you're looking for.  Make sure you like her on Facebook to get up to date information!

babyfood : big berry muffins

John recently bought the book Superfood Kitchen by Julie Morris.  It's full of really interesting recipes that provide natural energy and nutrition.  And, most every recipe has a beautifully styled picture, because I don't know about you, but I just don't make a recipe without a photo.  It's so much more fun!

Big Berry Muffins : Recipe by Julie Morris
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
1/2 c. cashew milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 c. applesauce
1/2 c. maple syrup
2 T. melted coconut oil
1 t. fresh lemon zest
1 1/2 c. fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.)

So cashew milk (I used unsweetened) replaces milk, applesauce replaces eggs or oil, maple syrup replaces sugar and coconut oil replaces butter.  The coconut oil also has some serious health benefits.

The kids finished and then I tried to take some pictures.  Look who wants seconds...

you put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up

John got a coconut from Whole Foods on his way home from work thinking it would be fun to crack open with Max.  I think John and I had more fun with it than Max- we are struggling to get him to eat new foods.  He's had coconut, but you know, the shredded sweet candy-like coconut.

Check out Teeny, she wants in on all the action.  She has been officially walking for about a month.  It's so weird to have such a short little person walking around the house.

Don't worry, we took the hammer away...

Just sniffy, no tastey.