Save or pin this page for next time you have some random leftovers! It’s a crowd pleaser for parents and kids, and your kids can help you prepare it. What you need:– 2 tbsp of wheat flour– 2 tbsp of butter or alternative– 1tsp dried garlic, parsley, 1/2tsp black pepper – 1/2 cup milk– 2 cups of cherry/grape tomatoes (if serving to kids ensure they were halved)– 1 cup pasta of choice (elbow macaroni, I Read more
Let’s cut the crap (if you want to read some nutritional stuff, scroll down.) Here’s what you’ll need to bake these bad boy brownies: 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup butter/margarine melted (look for margarine without trans fat) 1/8 cup all purpose flour 1/8 cup whole wheat flour 1/3 cup (heaping) cocoa powder 1 pinch of salt 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional) Zest of one orange (optional) In a mixing Read more
There are numerous researched benefits to families eating meals together. I’d like to share some of them with you! They significantly increase the amount of fruit and veggies kids eat They are significantly associated with BMI z-scores (more family meals equals healthier BMI scores) They are associated with overall higher diet quality But wait, the fun doesn’t stop there… research shows parent and child food intakes are closely related across various metrics of diet quality including energy Read more
What if I told you that forcing your kids to eat is a bad idea? What if you could improve your family’s health by making a couple of simple changes? Contrary to many parent’s beliefs and actions, children shouldn’t be forced or pressured to eat anything (including veggies.) What whaaat? Seriously, this study just adds to the body of research showing these results: Children who had more control over food-related decisions were more likely to Read more
Thanks for enjoying the Plum Pantry. On this page I share kitchen products I personally use, love, and recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. Knives! Knives… If you want to do anything in your kitchen, you need a good set of knives. Not an amazing set. But this set we’ve had for over 5 years and they still work really well! Would definitely recommend. I’ve included the 3 Read more
Thanks for enjoying the Plum Pantry. On this page I share snack equipment I personally use, love, and recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. Popcorn Poppers This is the popcorn maker we have and love. It’s a workhorse and well worth the price because it’s lasted very well. While I’ve not personally tried this one, I’ve had people tell me how much they like it. It’s also collapsible Read more
Thanks for enjoying the Plum Pantry. On this page I share products I personally use, love, and recommend for “take-n-go” times with kids. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. Cold Bags The PackIt bags are one of the best purchases we’ve made. We have several of them and they’re great for a day out and also for traveling. I’ve filled them with bags of frozen breast milk and flown Read more
If you’ve read my various snack idea articles (linked here, here, and here) and you’re thinking… “My kids won’t eat that”. Well, I’ve got you covered! You’re the parent! It’s your job to supply nutritious food. Your child’s job is to decide how much and if they will eat. Should your child not want the snack on offer, that’s their choice. Stand firm, lead by example and enjoy the food you’ve prepared. Your child won’t Read more
Dr. Wiki defines a snack as a small portion of food eaten between meals. As our culture diversified and food is now readily and cheaply available, people often associate the word ‘snack’ with being unhealthy. It’s a real shame, because healthy snacks help maintain a healthy weight by preventing overeating at meals, keeping blood sugar levels constant, and providing extra nutrition. There is evidence that shows snacks (of the ‘unhealthy’ variety) provide an excess of Read more
The basic biological basis of eating is to gain energy in response to physiological, internal cues – your stomach rumbling. So why then, do so many of us (including myself) feel compelled to stuff our already stuffed stomachs? A snack is defined as food consumed between meals. An unhealthy snack is high in fat and/or sugar. New research found 6 reasons people commonly scoffed, scarfed, shoveled and stuffed themselves with unhealthy snack foods: To enjoy Read more