Everyone wants to play #wannaplay

Before you light up consider this ..

I usually dont do this and I have been debating whether or not I wanted to but I just cant leave it be.
Recently I have noticed more and more people smoking in areas where they shouldn’t be. Places where there are numerous non smoking signs so that people who dont smoke or who have health conditions can be in a smoke free environment. By Mall doors , entrances to banks, or any area that is covered. I even recently encountered someone under a bus shelter smoking mind you it was starting to rain but that is no excuse. Why do I and so many other people including children have to be subjected to inhaling smoke as soon as you leave the mall ? Or why should a pregnant lady have to stand in the rain because you need a smoke at a bus stop? I am so sick of having to push my son through clouds of smoke and as well having to just walk through it myself. I am pregnant if I wanted to smoke then I would but I chose not to because of the health risks to myself and my children. Why are you as a smoker making the decision that i have to breathe it in and possibly hurt my children.. We know second hand smoke harms people there has been alot of documented proof on this. I use to smoke and I use to smoke alot about a pack and a half a day and then I became pregnant with my son and i quit for his health. I personally loved to smoke but when I did I at least respected others enough not to smoke by doorways or under areas where there was no smoking allowed and never in front of children. So all I am asking is next time you light up consider where your doing it and who you are affecting because If you look around I am sure your not the only one standing in that area.

 

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The World of Toddler Snacks

I have recently been doing alot of research for little finger food or snacks for my sons second birthday.  I have been challenged now that my son is eating more to find healthy and interesting food ideas that he will actually eat. If you have a toddler then you know how challenging it can be. And I find now that he is entering his terrible two stage or should I say in it he is more and more picky and wont even put anything in his mouth unless it looks interesting. With that said I thought i would list some of the ideas / recipes that I have found in hopes that it may help someone as they have helped me.  And remember the more visually appealing the more likely your toddler will eat it.. be creative :)

1: Jello boats.. Take an orange and cut in half. scoop out the insides fill it with berries and Jello let set in the refrigerator. cut into quarters and use a toothpick and piece of paper to make a sail...

2: Hummus and pita or veggies..

3: Cucumber canoe ..   Hollow out half a cucumber and fill with tuna salad or egg salad..

4:Fruit and yogurt parfaits.

5: Cookie cutter sandwiches..

6: Banana bread .. ( add some chocolate chips and your toddler wont say no)

7: Cooked cherry tomatoes.. Fill with rice mixed with some goat cheese and bake.. yummm

8: Mini Quiche.. ( freeze for an easy snack on those days you dont want to cook )

9: Mini pizzas :  Make your own mini pizza on an english muffin half or even pita bread.. A touch of tomato sauce , cheese and whatever toppings you choose.

10: lettuce, cheese and meat wraps..  ( my son loves these)

11: Veggie/fruit/cheese  plate..  ( cucumber ,baby carrots grated ,  cheese, berries or orange pieces)

12: Fruit bars.. ( love, love , love these )

13: Mini pancakes or crepes topped with applesauce

14: Cheerios , quaker oat squares, dried fruit in small pieces and chocolate chips  mixed together for a trail mix.

15: Mini muffins.

16:  yogurt with fruit to dip in it .

17:  Fruit smoothies.. There are tons of recipes out there on the internet and if you have a magic bullet they are so easy to make!!

18: Meat balls ..

19: Crackers and tzatziki...

20: hard boiled eggs.

21: Yam Fries.   What little one could resist.

22: Fruit salad

23: pinwheel sandwiches.. add desired filling and roll.

24: French toast sticks.

25: Quesadillas  ( cheese and cut into small slices)


If you have any ideas to contribute I would love to hear them.  Please feel free to comment below :)

Pregnant again !

So yes its been a while since i have posted and the reason why??? I am nine weeks pregnant. Things have been a bit of a roller coaster since i have found out.   Having a 21 month old and being pregnant is not an easy task some days I actually wonder how I am going to manage.
This pregnancy has been very different from my first. I have been feeling sick non stop where with Nathaniel I didnt feel sick at all.  I seem to stomach eggs really well and love fruit especially pineapple. I dont think I have ever eaten this much fruit salad in my life.  Hopefully if I can stay away from all the bad foods I can avoid gaining too much weight like I did with Nathaniel although I have already gained 9 pounds so I am not really doing that well so far.   I am also feeling really tired which I expected I practically slept through my first pregnancy , The hard part with this one is having a toddler I cant nap especially with the hours i work. I work at 5 am get home at 2 and he has already had his nap :(  by 3 I want to cry.. Oh well 3 more weeks until the first trimester is over and I will start feeling better right??   So that is my news and my little update , my next midwife appointment is on the 16th of Feb and that is when I will hear the heartbeat :) yay. So excited for that. Until then I am just doing my best to get through each day. I will try to post more and continue with cooking and posting more recopies and will definately post more updates as things progress :)

Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

This Recipe comes from the Joy of Baking and I will be making it this weekend.. All I can say is yummm I cant see how these wont be a hit for any occasion.. Pictures to come.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bars:

1 cup pecans

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated white sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup dried cranberries or cherries

Frosting: (Optional)

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup mascarpone or cream cheese

2 teaspoons granulated white sugar

Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 – 10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from oven, cool completely and then coarsely chop.

Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and butter and flour an 9 x 9 inch pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground ginger, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2 – 3 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until incorporated. Beat in the pumpkin puree until incorporated (the batter will look curdled at this point). Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing only until combined. Stir in the chopped toasted pecans and dried cranberries. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 – 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Cut into 16 – 2 inch bars.

Frosting: In a bowl beat the whipping cream and mascarpone cheese until light and fluffy. Add sugar to taste. Spoon a dollop of cream on top of each bar. Top with fresh pumpkin seeds.

 

Rolled Fondant

A month ago I decided that I would make an attempt at rolled fondant as I wanted to make a cake for a friends baby shower. This recipe is fairly simple and tastes great. It was my first attempt and I am happy to say there were no major issues I encountered ( well other than not having the right cake pans ). So I am posting the recipe as is. To dye the fondant I bought a gel food coloring and kneaded a drop or two into the fondant just before I used it to get the color I wanted.

Ingredients

1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup glucose syrup
1 tablespoon glycerin
2 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

Combine gelatin and cold water; let stand until thick. Place gelatin mixture in top of double boiler and heat until dissolved.
Add glucose and glycerin, mix well. Stir in shortening and just before completely melted, remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Mixture should cool until lukewarm.
Place 4 cups confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and using a wooden spoon, stir in the lukewarm gelatin mixture. Mix in sugar and add more a little at a time, until stickiness disappears. Knead in remaining sugar. Knead until the fondant is smooth, pliable and does not stick to your hands. If fondant is too soft, add more sugar; if too stiff, add water (a drop at a time). Use fondant immediately or store in airtight container in fridge. When ready to use, bring to room temperature and knead again until soft.

I'll be back

Its been almost 7 days since I have posted and thought that I would just let everyone know that yes I am still here.. I have recently started a new job and by recently I mean Monday and am still currently working part time at my old job until this coming Monday.. Confusing yes, tiring yes lol … I am still alive and kicking and will be posting some more recipes and life adventures as of next week.. So have no fear I am not far just out of order for the week