Shiny Happy Monsters

I signed up to do a Halloween craft at Ayla's school this week. As i'm scrambling for ideas, i'm working hard at avoiding anything cliche. You know...pumpkins, bats and ghosts. Also, I have a crazy stash of random fabric scraps,  fuzzy pom poms, pipe cleaners, yarn, googly eyes etc. I'm thinking, these things need to get used up!

 

We made "Friendly Monster" masks and they are as spooky as a black cat on Hallow's Eve. This is a great craft for preschoolers because it helps them use their imagination and work on creative expression. Such a fun, easy project that requires just a few supplies and a bubbling imagination.



Here's what you'll need to create your monster: foam circles, craft sticks, tacky glue and googly eyes.  For the rest of the decorations, use what you have around the house and get to it!

Savor the Moment

Every so often, you get a chance to capture your family as a whole just being who you are as a unit. Usually, you're probably the one taking the pictures, so there's never a chance you'll be in them. My sweet friend and neighbor Kim of Kim Lloyd Photography makes the magic happen. She has a way with making the photos resonate with you forever. It's about catching that moment where the photo comes to life. If you ever think, I wish we had a good picture of us or if only I can get one good shot, then you should get in touch with Kim. She is fun, easy going and a pleasure to work with.

 Here is a preview of our session a few lazy Sundays ago:

Shape it up!

The Perfect Tortilla Pan set makes eating way more fun. It's so simple to use any day of the week and is a total party pleaser. You can make taco bowls, salads, desserts etc. The possibilities are endless and it makes a great serving dish for your favorite dip. On this week's Try It segment, I put this product to the test.

Sneaky Sweet Potato Waffles

Hey there! Here is a great way to sneak veggies into some of your favorite foods. What better way to kick off Fall than with sweet potatoes! I decided to make sweet potato waffles, mainly because I've been craving them and also to get Ayla to eat more veggies. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, which offers up a hefty load of Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is fat soluble, so that extra butter on your waffle will only aid in absorption. Eat up and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Waffle recipe:

1 cup all-purpose flour                                1 cup milk
1 cup whole wheat flour                              1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder                                1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 tsp kosher salt                                     1 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp cinnamon                                       1 1/2 cups sweet potato (mashed)
                                                                 6 egg whites

* Use room temperature ingredients for a better batter.

Sift the flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into a mixing bowl. In another bowl add milk, brown sugar, butter, orange zest and potatoes, mix until incorporated. Beat your egg whites in separate bowl until you get medium peaks. Add your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients and stir until the batter just comes together. Next, you're going to add your egg whites in three batches. Mix just until blended together. Preheat your waffle iron to medium. Once up to heat, spray with non-stick cooking oil and pour in about 1 cup of batter. Close lid and wait about 6 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with butter and maple syrup or for a dessert add a scoop of butter pecan ice cream. You can also let waffles completely cool and then freeze them for a quick, easy, healthy breakfast.