Last spring my friend Dorothy aka my partner in coffee introduced me to a fantastic child care menu planning resource from the state of Delaware. It’s full of nutritious, whole grain, low fat recipes that I fell in love with right away. I vowed to try all of the recipes at least once even the really weird ones, then keep the good ones and change the not-so-good ones to make them better.

This recipe didn’t need any tweaking to make it yummy; the kiddos gobbled it up the first time we tried it. It’s officially called “Sandbox Surprise” but is basically a variation of apple bread pudding. Although I gag on most bread puddings too gooshy! this one has a moist yet firm texture that I actually like. I hope you and your kiddos like it too!

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe – in Pictures

This is a fantastic recipe for children to help with; there’s something they can do at every step .
Toast some whole wheat or whole grain bread and cut it into cubes. Toss the cubes in the bottom of a greased bread loaf pan.

Peel, core and dice up your favorite baking apples.

My fave is Cortland – for both cooking and eating – but McIntosh would work too. I wouldn’t use Granny Smith because this bread pudding gets its sweetness from the apples instead of added sugar, so you want a sweeter apple.

Mix a couple of eggs with some milk, unsweetened applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon.

The recipe calls for whole eggs plus egg whites, but I usually use the whole egg because I don’t like to waste the yolks, and usually in too big a hurry to separate eggs.

Sprinkle the apples on top of the toast cubes.

I thought the top layer of apples ended up a bit dry, so next time I’m going to try mixing the apples in with the toast so there will be apple throughout, not just on top. The original recipe suggests serving the apple bread pudding with raisins, but I think they’d be really good mixed in with the apples. I’ll bet the bread pudding would be good with walnuts or pecans included too, or any other nut or dried fruit you like. Something for us to try next time…

Pour the egg mixture over the apples and toast; be sure all the toast is moistened. Cover and refrigerate.

Bake uncovered until the middle is set.

Cut into squares while warm, and…

Enjoy!

You can serve the bread pudding with yogurt, raisins, etc, but we all liked it just the way it was.

Apple Bread Pudding – Official Recipe

Makes 6 child-sized servings. For more servings, double or triple all ingredients. Use a 8 x 4 loaf pan for up to 12 servings and an 11 x 7 baking dish for 24+ servings.

Apple Bread Pudding Ingredients

• 4 slices whole grain bread, toasted
• 1/2 C natural applesauce
• 2 C apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 1/2 C fat-free or 1% milk
• 2 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 C raisins (optional)
• Low-fat yogurt (optional)

Apple Bread Pudding Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Spray 8 x 4 loaf pan with cooking spray.
3. Place cubed toast in bottom of pan.
4. Mix all other ingredients together and pour over toast, being sure to coat all pieces. Cover with plastic wrap.
5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on size of pan and number of servings.
7. Cut into even squares. Serve alone or with low-fat yogurt and raisins.

Happy Healthy Eating!

I’ve always enjoyed learning new things – back in the ’80s I badgered my hairstylist into telling me how perms worked, just because I wanted to know. So I was surprised when this topic ended up being more of a challenge than I thought it would be.

1. Power Point

No, I don’t know how to do a Power Point. Yes, I know it’s incredibly easy, I just haven’t taken time to learn how yet. I need to set aside the time though, because Power Point has long been a standard part of presentations, and cuz it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that even though I know html and css I haven’t ever done a Power Point.

2. Balance

I know I’ve said this many times before – proof that I haven’t mastered it yet. I see myself as a plate spinner: I get one area of my life going, then have to rush to another before it crashes, then another, and another, but can never keep them all going at once. I’m confident I can learn Power Point in 2012; but am not so sure about Balance.

3. Yoga

Princess has been raving about her Bob Harper Weight Loss Yoga DVD, so I thought I’d to give yoga a try. I’ve also heard so many good things about yoga, especially for maintaining strength and flexibility as you get older, so I figure it’s a good idea to start while I’m still young. This is definitely do-able… maybe it’ll help me finally find Balance in my life too.

 
What about you? What three things do YOU want to learn in 2012, and why?

Photos: Powerpoint from www.chemistryland.com, Balance from www.hybrid-cluster.com, Relax by duchessa.

This is a guest post by Melissa C. of Blog Content Guild, who has offered to share some eco-friendly birthday ideas with us. This is not a paid post; the only benefit I received (besides the great tips) was time saved from having someone else write the post.

Anyone who has ever been to a child’s birthday party has probably noticed that these are not usually the healthiest events in the world. You may have taken the time to find the perfect theme for your child’s party, getting some awesome Disney character or Mario Brothers party supplies for your little one, but, inevitably, the kids will usually end up sitting in one place watching a movie or playing in the sandbox, then move to the table to grab handfuls of cake, candy, and pizza.

These parties are not only unhealthy, but harmful for the environment, too. When it’s all over, we throw away uneaten food, paper plates, plastic knives, and left over party decorations. However, birthday parties don’t have to be wasteful or harmful to the environment. Make a change by following these tips for your next party:

• - Instead of providing the children with cake and greasy pizza, think of a healthy alternative. Spaghetti with a vegetable based sauce can be a fun alternative to pizza and instead of sugary cakes, try an angel food cake with a yogurt-based filling or fluffy chocolate icing.
• - Depending on the size of your party you might even want to turn the food into a fun activity for the little party animals to enjoy. Try making a healthy snack like granola bars for the kids to enjoy. You can let them help with the mixing and, of course, the eating.
• - If you’ve ever cleaned up after a kid’s birthday party, you know about all the paper or plastic plates that get thrown away. You should know that you have alternatives to styrofoam plates, which take 5,000 years to biodegrade. In comparison, paper napkins take less than six months to biodegrade. Bamboo is also a cheap and chic alternative to styrofoam and plastic plates. Companies like Bambu make very fashionable disposable dinnerware from the plant which is one of the fastest growing on Earth.

Planning a child’s birthday party should be fun. Take the headache of waste out of the equation and you will throw a great party that you won’t have to feel guilty about!

~ Melissa

Thank you for those great tips, Melissa! And thanks for your time; we’d love to have you write another guest article again some time.

5. Kid Hugs

Almost nothing lifts my spirits like a hug from on of my kiddos, grandkiddos, or child care kiddos. They know it and are quick to offer some “hug therapy” whenever I seem to need it… and even when I don’t. Kid hugs rock!

4. Cleaning

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but cleaning brings me peace. OK, maybe not the physical act so much as the final result, but you know what I mean. I can’t breathe surrounded with clutter and dirt, but a clean house brings me peace. June Cleaver, you ARE my hero.

3. Christmas Music

Yeah, I know I’m probably the only person in the world who listens to Christmas music year-round. I’m OK with that. It makes me happy and doesn’t hurt anyone. My kids haven’t been officially diagnosed as crazy because of it… yet.

2. Coffee

Mmmm…coffee! Just the aroma of a freshly-made latte calms me. I sip HOT! and tension gives way to the sensation of sweet warmth flowing down to the center of my body. Coffee therapy – cheap and delicious.

1. Teacher’s Arms

There’s no place on Earth I’d rather be than in Teacher’s arms. No matter how small or large the crisis – a broken dish or my grandma dying – when Teacher wraps his arms around me I know everything will be OK.

Well that’s my list, simple as it may be.

What five things bring you peace?

Photo credits: Cafe Love by scottsnyde, Christmas Ornament by kristja, Clean Home 2 by lusi

1. Get back to blogging at least three times a week.
It’s just a matter of discipline and self-control to make myself write – even if I don’t feel like it.

2. FINALLY shed those last five pounds.
Another matter of discipline and self-control to think about what goes in my mouth. Hmmm, I’m noticing a trend here…

3. Keep the house clean cleaner.
It’s not that hard to take an extra minute to put things where they go instead of stashing them someplace. More discipline and self-control.

4. Exercise.
Ugh. I don’t like to exercise but I know it’s important for my health. This’ll require vast amounts of discipline and self-control. I’m not looking forward to it.

5. Get organized.
The last time I really felt on top of things was seven years ago, when Jo-Bear was five. It’s high time I get organized again – no more “day late and a dollar short” for me! Discipline and self-control? You betcha!

What about you?
In 2012, come heck or high water, YOU are going to…

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from me and “my” child care family.
Aren’t they all just too cute for words?!

The other day I showed you how to make reusable cloth gift bags. After I finished the gift bag and had the photos taken I put everything away and headed up to bed. But I wasn’t feeling my usual sense of accomplishment.

Then the little voice in my head spoke up…

“I don’t like them.”

I don’t like it when the little voice in my head speaks up. It usually means more work for me.

“Why not?” I answered. “They’re cute bags. And they’re quick and easy to make.”

“The ribbon is too hard to wrap around and tie. The tops are clunky and ugly. I don’t like them.”

“But I’ve got a bunch of them done already.” I whined. “The tutorial photos are taken; I just need to write up the directions.”

“I don’t like them.”

“I don’t care! I don’t have time to make them over again. They’re good enough. Leave me alone!”

“They are not good enough. You can do better.”

“Stop it! There’s nothing wrong with them! They’re fine!”

“I. Don’t. Like. Them.”

“Arrrrrgh!!!”

I should know better than to argue with the voice in my head; I always lose. The next night I found myself changing the reusable bags I’d already made to make them better.

Make Reusable Gift Bags with a Casing

The reusable gift bags in my previous tutorial closed by wrapping a ribbon around the top. The voice in my head wasn’t thrilled with that option, so I took the ribbon off and made a casing for the ribbon to go through. When you pull the ribbon to close the bag the fabric will gather evenly and make a pretty ruffle on top.

Make Reusable Gift Bags from the Beginning

If you haven’t made any bags yet, follow the other tutorial except after you stitch the hem in Step 6 come back here to Step 2 and follow the rest of the steps to finish your gift bag.

Alter Previously Made Reusable Gift Bags

If you’ve already made gift bags from the other tutorial you can easily alter them by following the directions below.

Step 1: Remove Ribbon
Find where the ribbon is stitched to the bag in the final step of the previous tutorial.

Carefully rip out the stitching so you can remove the ribbon.

Step 2: Make Casing
Lay the ribbon next to the stitching on the side near the top of the bag to figure out how wide to make the casing. You can measure with a measuring tape too, but this method is quicker for me.

Set the ribbon aside and sew a second line of stitching parallel to the first line, to form a casing.

Carefully separate the two layers of fabric and make a small slit in the outside layer of fabric. Be careful not to go through both layers of fabric!

I’d considered making a buttonhole for the ribbon but decided not to because I hate making buttonholes and because I doubt that the reusable gift bags are going to be used enough that they’ll need a buttonhole. If you’re worried about the fabric raveling you can brush a little clear nail polish on the edges of the slit, but be careful they don’t get stuck together.

This is the opening you’re going to insert the ribbon into.

Step 3: Insert Ribbon
Fold the end of your ribbon over and attach a safety pin to it.

Insert the ribbon into the slit in your casing and work it all the way around the bag. Be careful not to pull the ribbon all the way through the bag as it moves the casing!

Work the pin and ribbon out of the slit – again being careful the other end of the ribbon doesn’t slip into the casing – and remove the pin.

Find the middle of the bag back and stitch through the ribbon and casing to attach the ribbon to the bag so it doesn’t accidentally get pulled out.

Trim both ends of the ribbon at an angle so they don’t fray and tie into a cute bow.

See, isn’t this top gathered more nicely than the other?

Happy Sewing!

If you’re scrambling for a last minute gift, this microwave caramel corn is the answer! Not only is it the yummiest caramel corn I’ve ever tasted, making it is SO quick and easy that you can whip some up tonight and gift it tomorrow. I’ve given it to classroom teachers, Sunday School teachers, hair stylists, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. But I won’t make it for us because it’s so good I’d eat the whole batch myself.

Microwave Caramel Corn Recipe in Pictures

You’ll need popped popcorn, light Karo syrup, butter the real stuff; not margarine, brown sugar, salt and baking soda.

Divide the popcorn into two microwave safe bowls.

Put the butter, brown sugar, Karo syrup and salt into a microwave safe bowl.

Stir to break up the brown sugar.

Microwave 2 1/2 minutes.

The butter should be melted, but the sugar may not be dissolved.

Stir to combine. Microwave another 30 seconds to bring the mixture to a boil.

If you have any kiddos helping, now’s the time to have them stand back and just watch. The caramel gets wicked hot and could cause nasty burns. Have them help again when it’s time to package the cooled caramel corn.

Microwave to boil 3 more minutes.

Stir in the baking soda.

Pour half the mixture over each bowl of popcorn.

Now it gets a little tricky… Stir one bowl of popcorn, then put it in the microwave and cook it for 1 minute. While the first bowl is cooking, stir the second bowl. When the first bowl is done, put the second in the microwave and cook it for 1 minute, stirring the first bowl while the second is cooking.

Continue to alternate cooking/stirring bowls until each bowl has cooked 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 minutes.

Cool. I spread the caramel corn on a pan so it cools more quickly.

Put into pretty holiday containers for gifting – no wrapping required!

Microwave Caramel Corn – the Official Recipe

This recipe came from my Mom and has been a family favorite for years. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does!

Microwave Caramel Corn Ingredients

• 16 C popped corn, divided
• 1 C brown sugar
• 1/2 C butter
• 1/4 C light Karo syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Microwave Caramel Corn Directions

1. Divide corn between 2 4qt microwave safe bowls.
2. Mix brown sugar, butter, Karo syrup and salt in 2 1/2 qt microwave safe bowl.
3. Microwave 2 1/2 minutes. Stir
4. Bring the mixture to a boil by microwaving 30 more seconds.
5. Microwave 3 minutes. The mixture should be boiling these 3 minutes.
6. Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda.
7. Immediately pour half the mixture over each bowl of popcorn.
8. Stir the first bowl, then put in microwave and cook for 1 minute.
9. While the first bowl is cooking, stir the second bowl, then put in the microwave and cook for 1 minute.
10. Continue to alternate bowls; stirring one while the other is cooking, until both bowls have cooked for a total of 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 minutes. Don’t overcook or the caramel will burn.
11. Cool, stirring frequently.

Let me know what you think, and who you gifted it to!

If you’re looking for ways to “green up” your holidays, cloth gift bags are a great idea! They may not be as much fun to rip open as wrapping paper, but they don’t make as big a mess and can be used again, and again, and again. Besides, it’s so quick and easy to make cloth gift bags that in no time you’ll have gift bags stashed away for every occasion!

Supplies for Making Cloth Gift Bags

One of the advantages of making cloth gift bags is that you don’t need many supplies:

• Sewing machine or serger
• Pins, scissors, etc
• A safety pin
• Iron
• Fabric
• Thread
• Ribbon

How to Make Cloth Gift Bags – Step by Step

I’m not going to give you specific dimensions for the cloth gift bags because I’d rather have you “go green” and use up leftover fabric. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes so just make whatever size bag you can from the fabric you have. If you really need a bag to fit a specific item, measure the item then add a couple of inches to the width for ease and seams, and 4-6″ to the height for the hem.

Ready?

Ok – let’s get sewing!

Step 1: Iron
If your fabric is fresh from the fabric store it’s probably ready to go, but if it was stuffed in a bag in a corner of your bedroom like mine was you’ll probably want to iron it before doing anything else.

I didn’t bother washing my fabric ahead of time because I figure the gift bags won’t be washed often, and if they do end up shrinking in the wash it’s really not a big deal.

Step 2: Cut
Cut your fabric into the desired dimensions. I cut across the entire length of the fabric and planned to fold it in half to make a medium-ish sized gift bag.

When I use leftover fabric I cut the pieces into the largest square or rectangle I can. Make sure you cut two pieces the same size if the rectangle isn’t big enough to fold in half!

Make sure you have straight edges and square corners so you don’t end up with a wonky gift bag.

Step 3: Press Top Hem
This is what’s called a selvage. It’s the edge on both sides of a length of fabric and doesn’t ravel.

If your fabric has a graphic design like mine that looks nice from any direction, turn your fabric sideways and use the selvage as the top hem to save a little time. Don’t worry if you’ve got Santa or reindeer or something that’ll look weird turned sideways; using the selvage edge is a nice bonus but not necessary.

Turn the top and bottom edges over several inches and press. This will be the top hem and the “ruffle” at the top of the bag. I like a decent sized ruffle so I turn my fabric over about 4″ for larger cloth gift bags, and at least 2″ for smaller ones.

If you’re not using the selvage you’ll need to finish the raw edge of the fabric so it doesn’t ravel. You can serge it, zig-zag it, or simply turn 1/4″ under – like I’ve shown here – and press.

Step 4: Side Seams
Unfold the edge you just pressed and pin the bag, right sides together, matching the top edges, pressed fold, and sides. Serge or sew.

Yes, you can switch those two steps and serge the bag together before pressing the seam, but I find it easier to press a flat piece of fabric instead of a tube – especially if you’re making smaller gift bags.

Since my fabric is one large rectangle I simply folded it right-sides-together, so the fold was at the bottom, and serged the side seams. If you’ve got two separate pieces of fabric you’ll obviously have to serge or sew from the top down one side, across the bottom, then up the other side.

If you used a sewing machine, either trim the seam with a pinking shears the scissors that cuts VVVVV or with a zig-zag stitch, so they don’t ravel.

 
Step 6: Stitch Top Hem
Fold the ironed hem back down and stitch close to the edge. I like to start at a side seam so you can’t see the backstitching as easily.

Optional Square Bottom for Cloth Gift Bags

If you’re making a larger gift bag, like I am, you may want to square the bottom of the bag to add depth so larger items fit better. If you’re making a small gift bag you can skip ahead to the final step.

Find one of the bottom corners of the bag. Open the corner and fold it, right sides together, so the side and bottom seams or bottom fold touch.

Figure out how wide you want the bottom and draw a line perpendicular to the seam. Keep in mind that the bag will be shorter by the amount you take off the corner.

I ended up drawing my line 2″ in from the corner, which gave me a width of about 4″.

Stitch or serge along the line. Finish the seam with a zig-zag stitch or pinking shears if you’re using a sewing machine.

Turn right-side-out.

Viola – a square corner!

Finishing the Cloth Gift Bags

Step 7: Attach Ribbon
Cut your ribbon twice the width of your bag plus about 6″. Find the center of your ribbon and the center of the front or back of your bag, and stitch the ribbon to the bag.

Remember to clip those threads!

Cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle so they don’t fray. You could also use clear nail polish to seal the ends, but cutting on an angle is quicker and easier.

Step 8: Enjoy
That’s it – you’re done!

Gather the top of the bag, wrap the ribbon around, and tie in a pretty bow.

 
You can embellish the ribbon with beads or jingle bells if you like. Unless your beads and jingle bells are all set aside for art projects, like mine…

That was easy, wasn’t it?

One of the hardest things about being a parent is trying to figure out what to do when your child is sick. How sick are they? Is it just a cold or is it more serious? Should you call the doctor or wait another day? Should they stay home from school or child care?

When deciding whether to keep your sick child home from school or child care, remember that germs spread very easily in school and child care settings. Children are constantly touching each other, coughing or sneezing near each other, trading toys or other items, and are overall more likely to spread or catch an illness than adults are. When you also consider that children are still developing good sanitary habits covering coughs and sneezes, using tissues instead of hands for runny noses, etc, it’s easy to see why keeping a sick child home may be the better choice.

Most schools and child care programs have policies that state when a sick child should be kept home, so make sure you’re familiar with your program’s policies. If in doubt, here are some common-sense reasons to keep a child home:

• Unusual spots, rashes or bruises unrelated to an injury
• Extremely sore throat with difficulty swallowing
• Impetigo or infected skin patches
• Unusually dark (tea-colored) urine
• Fever
• Headache and stiff neck
• Vomiting – for any reason
• Diarrhea – for any reason
• Crankiness, general discomfort, seems unwell, cries more than usual
• Ear ache
• Child does not feel well enough to participate in child care program’s activities

Consider the other children at school or child care, and their families. Bringing a sick child to school or child care may cause other children to become ill, and that illness may spread to their family members. If all parents keep their sick children at home everyone will stay healthier, which will result in fewer lost work days and a healthier environment for everyone.

Image credit: www.sxc.hu/profile/Mrinkk