‘”Mommy, guess who is very busy right now?”
“Who?”
“Auntie Angie is very busy right now.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. She’s busy baking us all kinds of treats! heheh”
Clearly, my nephew Ethan has been reading my blog! He said that to Kristi as they were flying to Ontario this weekend.
And he was right; it was a very busy weekend cleaning the house, stocking the fridge and freezer, cooking/baking, and wrapping gifts! I’m feeling pretty relaxed though because I didn’t leave everything to the last minute and I got all my meal planning done last week. I really don’t know who I am anymore!
This weekend, I channeled my inner child and tested out a couple kid-friendly snack and meal ideas that I can make while my nephews are here. They are also adult-friendly too of course (and aren’t we all just big kids at heart?).
1) Apple Sandwiches
with peanut butter, granola, vegan overnight oats, chocolate chips (or raisins), coconut
I spotted this idea on Pinterest and I knew that it would be a hit with kids.
Just grab an apple, slice it crosswise, and then use a large pastry tip to punch a hole through the centre to make an ‘apple bagel’ slice.
Then just layer on peanut butter, granola, VOO, coconut, raisins, chocolate chips, etc…anything you desire! These will be really fun to make with my nephews because they can create their own.
2) Chunky Whole Fruit Popsicles
Ange told me about these popsicles and I knew I had to make them for my nephews. All you do is cut up your favourite fruit, drop it into a popsicle mold, and then fill up the remaining space with juice. Freeze overnight.
For the juice, I used this delicious pineapple coconut juice. It’s also clear, so the fruit shows through quite a bit.
They taste great and I’m sure the boys will love ‘em on those hot days!
3) Carrot Spice Muffins
My nephews love muffins, so I will definitely be making a batch of Carrot muffins while they are here!
4) Fruit Pizza with Avocado Lime Whip on a Cinnamon Sugar Crust
This dessert pizza is not only packed with nutrients, but it’s a hit with everyone who tries it. Kids can also help make the pizza too.
5) Green Monsters & Smoothies
My nephews love Green Monsters & Smoothies, so we’ll be making lots of these this week.
6) Easy Cheezy Crackers & Homemade Hummus
These crackers are not only my favs, but they are extremely quick to make and the dough is easy to roll! Kids will have fun using cookie cutters to create all kinds of shapes. They go great with Cheezy Hummus or my favourite homemade hummus.
7) Frosty No Bake Chocolate Cookies
Seconds to whip up, these freezer cookies are great for the summer and filled with healthy ingredients like chia seeds and rolled oats, but the kids won’t know the difference.
8.) Lightened Up Summer Granola
My nephews love granola with milk for breakfast, so a batch of this will definitely go quick!
9) Almond Butter Rice Crisp treats
It’s a bold statement, but I think these Almond Butter Rice Crisp treats are better than the ones I used to make as a kid. Even better, they have ingredients that you can feel good about!
As you know, I’m not usually a meal planner, but when I’m playing hostess for a week and kids are involved, I like to plan ahead.
This week’s kid-friendly meal plan:
Monday: Hawaiian stir-fry with coconut rice
Tuesday: Potluck dinner @ family gathering (I’m contributing Back on Track Wheatberry salad and dessert)
Wednesday: BBQ homemade burgers, roasted veggies, fries, Weekend Glow Kale Salad
Thursday: They will be away this night so Eric and I will probably grab something easy
Friday: Restaurant
Saturday: Build your own pizza night (so excited for this!) + salad (Kerrie and the family join us for the weekend)
Sunday: Pasta dish/casserole (TBD), garlic bread, salad, etc
Lunch ideas: Mac ‘n cheese (using this sauce), peas, and veggie dogs, grilled cheese, sandwiches/subs, etc.
If only I could be this organized every week!
Today is the BIG day- The Great Fundraising Blogger Charity Auction! All proceeds go to our dear friend Susan from The Great Balancing Act who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Susan a few times and she is an amazing, fun, and caring person. She’s been fighting her cancer with strength, grace, and positivity that has touched me deeply and everyone who follows her journey. [You can read Susan’s story here].
The lovely Janetha rallied the blogging community together to support Susan with this huge fundraiser..and it’s bigger than we ever dreamed it would be! The blogging community is powerful beyond measure and I know this fundraiser is going to be a huge success.
I have donated 20 Glo Bars up for auction and will ship to anyone in the US or Canada and there are hundreds of other amazing auction items to bid on! It runs from 8am EST until 4-11pm EST (staggered closing) TODAY July 25th.
Head on over and support a great cause! I’m off to submit some bids!
Wow, they’re going to leave full! Too cute that your nephew is excited to come visit and eat all of your tasty foods.
Also, love those apple sandwiches! We do something similar at home only we cut the apple horizontally, remove the filling, and fill it up with soy yogurt + granola and then top it with the apple insides.
Looks like the kiddies are going to be SUPER well-fed! And your popsicles look great! Isn’t Pinterest marvellous?! I could spend hours pinning stuff on it. I hope you have a wonderful time with your nephews Ange! :)
I’m in love with those popsicles – They’re so bright and fun! I’ll have to try those next time I’m entertaining kiddos. But I think I’ll try the apple “sandwich” right now for myself!
Those popsicles are adorable! I’d like them for myself!
These look divine…I am making your popsicles today !!!
Thanks :)
I just posted a peaches and cream wheatberries cereal recipe that my little ones LOVE … you may want to give it a try on your nephews ;) www.healthymammas.com
Yum the popcycles turned out great and I think I am going to try out the crackers today!
Love the apple sandwich idea! And the build your own pizzas are going to be a HUGE hit, I’m sure. there’s nothing more fun that getting to participate in creating your dinner (or is that just me? LOL!). :)
Wow what lucky nephews!! Sounds like you have an amazing week of food ahead of you. :)
Your lucky nephews! The apple sandwiches are beyond cute :)
wow your menu sounds great can I come?
the fruit pizza and apple sandwiches look AWESOME! great post!
Those fruit pops sound so amazing right about now, as it’s reaching 105 here in Orlando! Mmmm, nice and cool…
Those popsicles! I need one! Does that pineapple and coconut juice have coconut water in it? Sounds delish.
Wow, these definitely look ‘adult friendly’ too. Yum yum.
The auction is a great idea. I’m headed over there now!
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Your popsicles looks so good! I only use juice in mine but I definitely need to add fresh fruit :).
And Hawaiian Stir-Fry with Coconut Rice? I want that tonight too!!
For the apple sandwiches, can you pick them up and bite through them? I’m afraid they’d be so messy! I suppose thin slices + not too much filling would be manageable for small mouths.
Those popsicles look amazing! Thanks for sharing!
If they are too big you can just use the halves :)
I love the idea of those apple sandwiches! They would be good “open face” too, I think, because knowing me, I would surely get peanut butter all over myself when I bit in to one!
Everything looks so delicious! I want to make it all!
I am so grateful for this post today! School starts in three weeks and I have to start thinking about school lunches again. My daughter isn’t the pickiest kid in the world, but packing her lunch isn’t always the easiest thing. I feel like I just pack the same three things all the time! The apple sandwich will be a hit for sure (with almond butter as she’s in a peanut free school) and I love making her muffins with veggies in them (carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes).
Thanks Lindsey, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wow these all look fabulous! Have a fun week with your nephews! The menu looks amazing!