‘”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!
Those look great! I’m proud to say they even look delicious to me, and I’m an adult :)
Props to you for meal planning! I do it off and on, and though I know how much easier it makes my life when I do it, sometimes it’s so hard to stay organized!
I’m so impressed with the awesome twists you made on these recipes to make them healthy but still kid approved. I have no need (at this point in my life) to kid-ify any dishes but I like the look of these myself. Especially the apple- bagels how cute!!! I can see myself getting pretty creative with these for a brunch with friends.
WOW!! Your menu list is extremely impressive!! I never have time to make so many homemade meals because we’re always out + about so much of the day. Everything sounds incredibly delicious. The kids are going to love it. The fruit popsicles are my favorite…gotta try those out!
Love the page setup! I was just noticing how awesome your previous posts look at the bottom =)
Have lots of fun with your nephews, I am sure they are going to love all the treats!
Thanks!
I’ve been reading your site for awhile and have been really looking for just this post! I have been enjoying lots of the foods on here, but sometimes struggle to make things my son will eat. These are all such creative and wonderful ideas! Thanks for a great round-up.
hope you all enjoy them Katy :)
These all look so great! I’ve been meaning to make some popsicles like those ones…this may have been the kick in the butt I needed :)
Oh goodness…you have me drooling over here!!!
Mmm need to try those crackers ASAP!!
I’d love to make all of this for my kiddo. Or for me :)
i do the apple sammies with PB and I also do banans “crowns”. <—that's what i call bananas topped with PB and a big huge raisin on top. It's the simple things.
And the choc oat no bake cookies of yours (always make me drool), I do a microwave version of an oat + chocolate + PB nobake bar.
Now I need a Popsicle!!! And those crackers. And the granola.
YUM!!!
Great ideas! The apple sammies are so inventive!
I love the apple idea!!
That menu looks amazing!
Question, what is your favorite granola?
Right now Im loving the lightened up summer granola on my recipage :) very light!
These look amazing! My 2 year old is sitting on my lap as I’m looking at your blog and he’s pretty excited about all these recipes.
I’ve been reading your blog for about a month or so now and the first recipe we made was your Weekend Glow Kale Salad. That was so incredibly yummy! My hubby and I ate almost the entire bowl ourselves! Thanks for posting such great recipes!
I’m glad you liked it!
Question on the chocolate banana no bakes – my kids HATE bananas (weird, I know) and they always detect them when I use them in various recipes even if I think they aren’t noticeable. Do you think that applesauce would work or another type of fruit puree? Nothing else has quite the same texture as pureed banana except perhaps an avocado. Thoughts????
Hmm I’m really not sure if the applesauce would make it all stick together as well. It would be an experiment I guess!
Those apple sandwiches are adorable! You could also do little apple donuts with toppings! I also like the idea of whole fruit popsicles! That way you are not left with just ice after you suck all the juice out! ;)
Those apple sandwiches look adorable :-)
And I would like to try those popsicles. Does the fruit pieces dissolve properly like icecream when eating, or do you have to take bites from it?
It remains chunky :)
I adore all of these ideas! Not just for kids, but for grown ups too!!
Angela- I love your menu plan! I wish I could be organized like that every week too! haha I guess that’s what having kids around does to you??! I am just so indecisive and always end up changing my mind due to inspiration, cravings, or guests which is why I don’t think meal plans work for me… at least a weeks worth. maybe some day!
Based off of that, I’m pretty sure everyone wants to be your nephew! :P
I can’t wait to make that fruit pizza!!!
Also, where did you get those popsicle molds??? I’d love to make some homemade frozen smoothies this summer!
Superstore :)