Review: Healthy Blueberry Muffins (for the toddler who won't eat anything else)

18 months, my friends, is a tumultuous age. I almost feel like I have a mini teenager in the house with all the emotional highs and lows.

While Juniper can still melt my heart with her toothy grin, she can also throw one impressive temper tantrum - in public no less. So far we have survived a tantrum in the library and a tantrum at the park in front of some new friends. I have to say that the latter was more humiliating and I had to fight back tears while my child screamed and kicked and the other child sat watching in quiet fascination and horror.

I have been told that consistency is the key - to keep on disciplining even if it seems like nothing is getting through. But it's hard. Really, really hard.

These days...these days are long and hard and wonderful. These days when she won't eat anything but bagels and cookies... these days when I catch her drawing on the floor, the walls, the kitchen cabinets... these days of pitching fits and then wanting nothing but to be held and cuddled... these days are all too fleeting.

Because these days can be full of a toddler's highs and lows, I have found it imperative to find a few things that lift the spirit. Added bonus if it also fills the tummy and accommodates the picky tastebuds of an 18-month-old.

These muffins are just the ticket.

Sure, they're still starchy and sweet (like a cookie), but unlike a cookie there are more of the good things and less of the bad things.

Here, she looks unsure about what she just put in her mouth.

Ahh, here we go!

I love a muffin that can put a smile on her sweet face.

If you have a picky toddler or if you just need a pick me up, try out these muffins. They are hearty, filling and somehow encouraging for the soul.

xo

Healthy Blueberry Muffins
From The Wednesday Chef

Makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 c shredded unsweetened coconut
1 large egg
1 c cooked oatmeal
1/2 c whole milk (I used 1% organic and it worked fine)
2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 c fresh or frozen blueberries
Preheat the oven to 400 F and butter a 12 cup muffin tin. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and coconut in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the milk and butter. Then, with a fork, add the oatmeal and break up the clumps.

Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and then add the blueberries. Both times I have made this, the mixture was really, really thick. I find that it helps to use your hands to incorporate those last bits of coconut or flour in to the mix. Drop by spoonfuls into the prepared muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serve warm or at room temp. Apparently these are also perfect to freeze (after completely cooling of course) and heating up whenever the need or mood strikes.

Review: Homemade Play-Dough

Let's talk play dough.

Juniper is now at the age where she is mildly interested in the stuff; however, she has been known to, well...eat it. Disgusting, I know. I mean, what child does that? 

(insert sarcastic tone here if you didn't already pick up on it)

While the smell of store bought play-doh immediately takes me back to my own childhood, I really don't want Juni eating it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's going to hurt her. It's just...well...it kind of makes me gag and since I'm not 100% sure that it isn't going to make her even the teensy-weensiest bit sick, I thought I should try my hand at some of the homemade stuff.

I tried this recipe about a month ago, and it smelled amazing. Rosemary play dough? Yes please! But it was so sticky. We're talking can't-even-get-it-out-of-the-plastic-bag sticky. After a few play time attempts I threw it out. It was too much hassle, frustrating rather than fun and Juni wasn't interested.

This morning I found this recipe. The only ingredient I was lacking was cream of tartar so Juni and I went to the grocery store to pick some up.

Um...can we talk for a second about how expensive cream of tartar is????? I didn't even look at the price when I picked it up. I mean, come on! It's such a tiny little jar. Yeah, tiny little jar of over $6. What??? So expensive. But a little goes a long way so hopefully I won't be buying this spendy little item for awhile.

Here are the ingredients you'll need for the best homemade play dough I've found:

Oh, you'll also need a really cute assistant who is great at giving the camera all kinds of attitude.

Work the camera, Juni! The camera loves you!

So you put all the ingredients except the food coloring in a 2 quart pot set over low to medium low heat. It looks really lumpy but that's okay. Just stir and stir and stir until it starts to thicken and then you add the food coloring. Then you stir some more until you can't stir anymore because it feels like your arm will fall off.

Then put it on some wax paper to cool.
I'm sad you can't really see the purple color. Next time I won't be so stingy with the color.

Oh, I should also note that this whole stove process took me like 5 minutes, if that. My arm wanted to fall off because the mixture got so thick it was difficult to keep it moving.

Now comes the big test...

Will she like it?
Will it be too sticky?
Will she still love me if her play dough dreams don't come true???

Just kidding on that last one.

Success. She was enamored with it for approximately 7 minutes - a record!

Oh, the attention spans of toddlerhood.

I may have over done it with the play dough pictures.

Oh well.

Here is the totally easy recipe! If you want more detailed instructions, head on over to Musings From a Stay at Home Mom. Her pictures and instructions are fantastic.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 Tbs vegetable oil
food coloring

Mix all the ingredients in a 2 quart pot over low to medium low heat. Once it starts to thicken up, add the food coloring. Keep stirring until the mixture is really thick and gathers around the spoon. Remove the dough to waxed paper to cool.

Enjoy!

It's that time again...

Remember that time I took a two and a half month break from blogging?

Yeah, me too.

It's not that I didn't think about it. I had plenty of ideas to write about, but I just lacked the...energy. I kept feeling like the first post back needed to be monumental in order to make up for all the weeks I'd been away.

Meh, I've given up on that idea and instead am just going to tell you about what's going on right now.

Today is Fat Tuesday which means tomorrow officially starts the Lent season.

To be honest, I love this season. I love the struggle of giving something up, the inevitable quiet that happens in my physical and emotional space. It is a sacred time, a time of remembering.

Last year I gave up makeup, and it was quite the challenge! This year I am giving up all social media. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will not see me and I'll not see them for the next forty days. I'm nervous, it's true. I look at social media in my down time (and my busy time) as a way to relax and check out. Without it, well...lets just say that I'm hoping to embrace more of the quiet I mentioned earlier. I'll be posting here regularly (I hope!) to let you know how it's going.

Are you participating in Lent this year? I'd love to hear what you're giving up or adding!

xo

Happy Christmas Friday!

I can hardly believe Christmas is a mere few days away! Forrest turns in his final project today (cheers throughout the land!) and we hit the road tomorrow for Arizona. I can't wait! What are your weekend and Christmas plans? I hope you are able to spend the holiday with people you love, and, as cheesy as it sounds, I hope your heart is full of joy, peace and wonder.

In the meantime, here are a few fun links around the web!

Have you seen this video about an airline playing Santa to its passengers? I totally got choked up.

51 Times in 2013 Jennifer Lawrence Proved She Was Master of the Universe.

8 Items Every New Parent Needs. Made me laugh.

I absolutely loved reading this birth story. I also love watching her HGTV design show.

Mocking It Up: a fun infographic about all the Mock Newbery lists around the country.

Finally, my friend Julia writes a hilarious & thought provoking blog called: Eating Stories Like Grapes. You should check it out!

Merry Christmas, friends!
xo

A Very Manly Christmas

You are probably already done with all of your Christmas shopping, but just in case you're not...here are a few ideas for that special fellow in your life!

Make magazine
$34.95 for a year (6 magazines)

Image retrieved from here

This magazine is perfect for the guy who loves to know how things work and is interested in building a few special projects of his own. Forrest had a subscription for a year (6 magazines a year) and he loved it.

Dear Mr. Watterson
$18.99 for the DVD (check out the link for all the bundle gift options!)

Image retrieved from here

For the guy who loved reading Calvin and Hobbes as a kid. Or, if you are my husband, still loves reading them.

Knitted ties
$ depends on the type of yarn you buy

Image retrieved from here

Maybe this one will need to wait until you have a bit more time, but how awesome are these hand knit ties? I love homemade gifts and this one is so original!

ASOS Cable Sweater with Elbow Patches
$35.39 ON SALE

Image retrieved from here

Because...who doesn't love their man in a sweater that has elbow patches??

NBA League Pass
$39.99 for mobile

Image retrieved from here

Because the Blazers are ON FIRE this year and he needs to watch all of the games.

What are your go-to items for your fella? I'd love to hear.

xo

Eyes of Faith

The snow started to fall on Saturday morning. The flakes were small but consistent. I watched as my neighborhood was transformed from normal to wonderland, and my heart felt full.

...

The baby and I enjoyed the glow of lights from our small tree and played while Harry Potter battled trolls and dragons in the background. Still my heart felt full but also distracted.

Despite the beauty of our cozy home, I felt discontentment and jealousy creep in. Instead of being still and soaking in the glow of Juniper's smile, I focused on the small screen in my hand and the pictures of other homes with better decorations and trees. Later, I was, I am, embarrassed that I let myself be distracted from the loveliness that is my home and my life.

...

It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the lives of others. To put more energy in watching and assuming what life is like for so-and-so. To get caught up in jealousy and envy at the good fortune of others. Why is it so hard for me shut off Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Why do I focus so much on the perceived lives of others instead of marveling at the beautiful life I have been given?

...

Yesterday morning I listened to an Imago Dei podcast from the first Sunday of Advent. I was so encouraged by the songs, the Scripture and the message. One question that stood out to me was:

In this Advent season what kind of eyes do you have? Natural eyes or eyes of faith? What distractions are keeping you from having eyes of faith?

Welp. Ain't that just so appropriate?

I decided that for this Advent season I need a break from so much social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). I removed the Facebook and Twitter apps from my iPod Touch and I am going to try to check it less frequently. I want to be present in this season. I want to focus on my beautiful girl and really listen to her babbles because, as I'm always reminded, these days together are just too fleeting. I want to soak in the light from my tiny tree and breathe a prayer of thanks for a warm house and a roof over my head. I want to look for the Christ child and ponder His coming, and I want to be ready and waiting for His still small voice.

Happy Advent season my lovely friends.
Much love to you.

A Very Merry Humblebug Holiday (& Giveaway!)

Update

And the winner is....Julia! "It's a Wonerful Life. Hark the Hearld Angels Sing while people throw love and money at George Bailey gets me every. single. time."

Me too, Julia, me too.

Contact me at elizabethcheri (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your prize!

Thanks for participating, guys!
...

The holidays are upon us, and, if you're like me, you are loving all the gift guides out there. Like this one or how about this one?

Well, I'd like to add my own two cents to the discussion and offer up the perfect holiday gift for that special lady in your life. Whether she is your mom, your sister, your best friend, your wife, or your daughter, she will love a piece of Humblebug Jewelry which is handmade by Crystal Humble.

I met Crystal twelve short years ago at a small Bible college nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Estes Park, Colorado. I remember feeling so nervous and alone as I climbed the steps of the Chalet for the first time, but then Crystal bounded up to me with her bright smile and I was able to take a deep breath. We have been friends ever since.

Crystal is so full of joy, energy and imagination, and when you look at her jewelry you can't help but feel joyful, energetic and full of imagination too. I am the proud owner of one of her necklaces, and I hope to add a few more pieces to my own jewelry collection (hint, hint, Forrest).

Today, I am beyond thrilled to announce that you, dear reader, have the opportunity to win one of Crystal's beautiful necklaces. Take a look...

"Vanity of a Beautiful Mind"

Isn't it gorgeous?!

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below answering the following question...

What is your favorite holiday movie?

One entry per person. (Facebook comments do not count.)

The winner will be announced on Sunday.

As an added bonus, from now until December 15 use this special holiday code -  "Holiday Cheer" 12252013 - to get 20% off orders of $100 or more on the Humblebug website. Thanks, Crystal!

Also, feel free to like Humblebug's Facebook page! Crystal is always updating her portfolio and the pieces are always so gorgeous to look at.

Happy Holidays!
xo

Check back next week for gift ideas for the special fella in your life.

P.S. For some, leaving a comment has been tricky. If you do not have a Wordpress or Google account, go ahead and use the Anonymous option; however, please make sure to leave your name in the comment. Thanks!





This giveaway is sponsored by Crystal Humble of Humblebug Jewelry. Thank you so much, Crystal!!