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Restaurant Choices for Kids #kidsinthekitchen

June 6, 2014 by

I’m a pretty good cook but there are sometimes when I like to leave the cooking up to someone else. That then leaves us to decide where to eat out with kids. At home I have complete control over portion size and veggie options, but recently we discovered some well known eateries that have approached this topic with healthful and much more flavorful ideas in mind. Doing this gives parents a little ease of the mind. Giving kids and parents some healthier options than chicken fingers and fries makes going out a fun experience instead of the chore it was turning into.Restaurant Choices for Kids

Red Lobster-not my idea of a fancy seafood dinner but you can’t debate that the food is pretty tasty. Their kids menu offers broccoli or oranges as a side and has main entrees that include broiled fish, grilled chicken and garlic grilled shrimp.

T.G.I.Friday’s has always been a favorite. Today they have not only gluten free options for kids but they cater to a more enhanced palate with their Kid’s Chicken Skewers, meat marinated in soy-garlic and served with papers and onions on pita bread.

Panera-soup and sandwiches can be a great meal. All the nutrition information for your sandwiches, salads and soups are available as you order. Kids meals come with choice of yogurt or apple and there are juices and milk options to drink as well as seasonal fruit cups to choose from. Kids can choose All Natural Low Fat Chicken Noodle Soup for just 80 calories or a heartier Baked Potato soup for 230 calories.Panera Baked Potato Soup

Chipotle-my new fave Mexican style restaurant. While I like to offer chicken as a safe meal for my kids the chicken at Chipotle is a tad on the spicy side. The Carnitas on the other hand is moist, flavorful and just right for my kids. Loading a burrito with rice, beans, corn salsa and cheese makes this a meal in a hand and a great way to get the kid’s bellies full.Try the kid’s taco kit where they can build their own.chipotle kids menu

P.F. Changs-Asian style food with a touch of sophistication, no paper boxes here. Their food is always light, delicious and filling instead of that icky overstuffed feeling that typical take out Chinese food leaves you with. P.F. Changs kids menu boasts items that kids are bound to enjoy like Lo Mein noodles with chicken, the veggie filled Buddha’s Feast and Honey Chicken. Since all meals are cooked to order allergy restraints are no issue as long as you inform your server so the meal can be adjusted accordingly.

Cheesecake Factory is the ultimate indulgence dinner with so many options to choose from. Kids can pretty much have things their way when ordering pizza and quesadillas. Other favorites are the Roadside Sliders and Southern Fried Chicken Sliders. Check out their Small Plates & snacks menu for an even wider variety of food in smaller portions. Kid sized desserts on on the menu but no cheesecake can be found. They should fix that.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is one the top of our list for a great night out. As parents we love love love it and love love love that our kids love it too. My kids order the fish or smoked wings and the lobster & spinach fondue as an appetizer. There are great side dish choices to like carrots with ranch, fruit salad and green beans. It’s a bit spendy as a family but the food is so worth it.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill offers kids a wide variety of sauces to go with classic spaghetti or the kids can switch it up with cheese ravioli. Classic Italian is always a hit but they offer plenty of selections for the pickier eaters too.

Eating out can be fun again by visiting the restaurants that cater to growing taste buds.  Where are your favorite places to eat?
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky





Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

May 29, 2014 by

Baking is one of the easiest and most fun ways to get your kids involved in the kitchen. It’s especially awesome when the child asks to make a particular dish. This Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is something I’ve been making for 12 years and everyone loves it. I’ve made little modifications over the years but it’s pretty perfect the way it is. We make it so much that Shae can do most of the prep, mixing and measuring on her own.

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

3-4 ripe bananas, peeled and broken into large pieces
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350° and butter a loaf pan.
In a large bowl cream together butter and brown sugar till creamy.
Add eggs one at a time and vanilla, blend well till combined.
Add in flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and combine till smooth.
Drop in banana, nuts and chocolate and blend till combined but bits of banana are still visible.Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan (or muffin tins).
Bake for 60-70 minutes, a toothpick should come out clean.
Let cool in loaf pan for 15 minutes, slice and serve.

Substitute the chocolate chips and nuts for whatever else you may like, such as cinnamon chips, dried cranberries, sliced almonds or JUST banana.

As you can see Shae did most of the work. I pulled ingredients out of cabinets, told her the measurements and let work the mixer. I love this time together. I hope she holds onto these memories as she gets older and starts memories with her own children.
Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen
Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Enjoy the time you have today and spend time doing small things. Making a sandwich together, mixing up chocolate milk or even enjoying a shared bowl of ice cream all count for making memories and getting your kids in the kitchen.

Brown Sugar Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.
Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.
 

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky

 





New Breakfast Ideas #kidsinthekitchen

May 22, 2014 by

Each morning we wake up as a family, get ready for the day and try to eat breakfast together. Some days it works out some days Rob is running out the door because he spend too much time goofing off with the kids. If we have our act together I try to make the kids something instead of just relying on frozen waffles and cereal. This week Shae wanted to try something new with her eggs to make them different and BETTER.New Breakfast Ideas for Kids #kidsinthekitchen

The first day she asked for something “fancy” on them. Chives have a great flavor and she loves onion so that is what we did.  The next day we chopped up some grape tomatoes, another favorite of hers.  Next I want to suggest sauteed mushrooms or spinach. This is a great way to doctor up a simple meal, encourage more veggie consumption and broaden tastebuds.

I have a feeling this is going to become a new staple, scrambled eggs topped with whatever is in the fridge with a side of  wheat toast topped with 1 slice of cheese.New Breakfast Ideas for Kids #kidsinthekitchen

Letting your child pick ingredients is a way to get them to try new things. This could be right out of the fridge or in the produce aisle at the grocery store.
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky

 





End of the School Year Lunch Box Notes #Printable #kidsinthekitchen

May 15, 2014 by

There’s a ton going on in our home. The weather is gorgeous so we’ve been spending lots of time outdoors. We’re using the fire pit and smoker to make dinner. Shaun is super involved in sports 3 nights a week. This means less time in the kitchen working on traditional meals. But that means I’m working on different ideas for #kidsinthekitchen like these Lunch Box Notes geared towards the end of the school year.

We occasionally do notes in their lunch. I like it to be an unexpected treat to bring a smile to their face. These notes will hopefully give them a little boost to get through the rest of the day because the end is near. The last day of school is coming up quick.

This is a printable so just click on the image and print. I’d recommend printing on cardstock.

End of the School Year Lunch Box Notes #printable #kidsinthekitchen

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen
#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky






Mac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen #recipe

May 8, 2014 by

I hate to admit this but Shae prefers boxed mac and cheese to my homemade kind.The rest of the family prefers mine so most of the time she’s out voted. Sometimes when time is of the essence I have to rely on the boxed kind even though I don’t like it very much. I found a way to kick up the flavor and presentation but using one of my favorite methods, muffin shaped food.Mac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen

Adding prepared mac and cheese, and some other yummy ingredients, to muffin tins creates something magical. The Mac and Cheese Muffins come out with a crispy crust and creamy inside, making them very different from their boxed beginnings.

These Green Onion Mac and Cheese Muffins turned out incredibly good. I’m going to add green onions more often because they add a great fresh onion taste without the harsh bite white onions tend to do.

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes of box mac and cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (we used mexican blend and mozzerella)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbls softened butter
  • 4 stalks of green onions chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • bread crumbs
  • *any chopped meat of choiceMac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen

Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and coat your muffin tins (12 cups)with cooking spray.

Prepare your macaroni according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Have you child add in all of the ingredients plus the cheese packets except bread crumbs and mix, mix, mix.

Taste to be sure it tastes the way you like it and adding meat or veggies if you choose.

Now it’s time to spoon your mixture into the muffin tins. Fill them all the way till almost overflowing. Top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Bake for 20 minutes till bubbly and browned.

Mac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen

Mac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen

Mac and Cheese Muffins #kidsinthekitchen

We enjoyed along side of Italian sausage and peppers.

Shae loved that she did most of the work!
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen
#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky






Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Power Bites #kidsinthekitchen

May 1, 2014 by

MOM! Can I have a snack?
It’s 2 hours before dinner and the kids are hovering looking for a snack. I hate to say no but I know giving in will just ruin their appetite. Shae suggested we make oatmeal power bites. They are small enough to curb an appetite but are still healthy so I don’t feel guilty.Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Power Balls #kidsinthekitchen
Best of all they are a no bake treat the kids can do almost all by themselves.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Power Bites

  • 1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter or other nut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2/3 cup coconut, toasted if preferred
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, any flavor
  • 1/4 finely chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/4 dried cranberries
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Dump all of the ingredients into a large bowl. With a rubber spatula mix thoroughly till combined. Chill in fridge for 1 hour.

Form into balls with the palms of your hands. If you find the mixture too sticky add 1/4 more oatmeal. If the mixture is too dry add 1 tbls more peanut butter.

Store in fridge to keep them firm but these can be eaten at room temperature. They are high in protein and good fats so feel good about the kids popping 2 or 3 after a hard day of play.

*Make these how you want them to taste. Substitute with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate shavings, pecans, chopped dates or figs, nutmeg and smoked sea salt. It’s all about ratio, add about 1 cup of “toppings”.
**Boost the health factor by adding a couple teaspoons of flax seed, chia seed, hemp or wheat germ.

Would your kids eat these?

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Power Balls #kidsinthekitchenPeanut Butter and Oatmeal Power Balls #kidsinthekitchen

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Power Balls #kidsinthekitchen

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Power Balls #kidsinthekitchen
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky






White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Dough Blondies #kidsinthekitchen

April 24, 2014 by

One of childhoods greatest pleasures might be eating raw cookie dough. The chunky creamy sweet scoop on your finger is so satisfying but so not safe for kids. That’s why we make an egg-free cookie dough and add it to things like White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Dough Blondies.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Dough Blondies #kidsinthekitchen
I don’ t know why I say we, I’ve actually never made these blondies, Sabreena makes them. This isn’t her recipe, it comes from The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook. We’ve had this for a couple years. IT’S AWESOME!

Thankfully Sabreena likes to bake because I’ve been slacking lately with sweet treats for the kids. These are always a big hit too.
Buy the cookbook from Amazon (affliate link). I won’t share the recipe here only because I hate to share the hard work put into a cookbook without getting permission. BUT I wouldn’t be surprised if you found a similar recipe on Lindsay’s blog, Love and Olive Oil. I promise you’ll love the cookbook if you get it, 150ish pages of COOKIE DOUGH ideas and recipes and inspiration.

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen
#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky





Stained Glass Easter Egg #kidsinthekitchen

April 17, 2014 by

Easter is just around the corner and while we don’t put much effort in to the bunny or hard boiled eggs that doesn’t mean we don’t like to incorporate cute and festive crafts for the home. In the  morning the light shining through the kitchen doors is bright and there isn’t anything prettier than stained glass all lit up.  That’s why we made this Easter Egg Stained Glass together.Stained Glass Easter Egg Craft for Kids #kidsinthekitchen #eastercraft

 

I cut a BIG stenciled egg shape with my Silhouette Cameo and with a piece of waxed paper, colored tissue paper and some glue Shae made this pretty artwork for our window.

Stained Glass Easter Egg Craft for Kids #kidsinthekitchen #eastercraft

Stained Glass Easter Egg Craft for Kids #kidsinthekitchen #eastercraft

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen
#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky






Jelly Bean Tree Kids Craft #KidsintheKitchen

April 10, 2014 by

With spring comes Easter and with Easter comes the influx of sweet, brightly colored candies. Jellybeans are a staple for this season and what better way to use them (besides eating them) is making crafts like this Jelly Bean Tree.Jelly Bean Tree Craft for Kids #KidsintheKitchen

I made a different kind of Jelly Bean Tree(coming next week) but Shae wanted to make her own. Using the same jelly beans leftover from my project I thought this was a good project for her. While it wasn’t HARD it took a little more maneuvering than I initially figured. The trick is to use a thick tacky glue, NOT HOT GLUE. You don’t want to be stuck holding the jelly beans in place for a long time.

The Quick Grip adhesive from Beacon works really good for projects that use beads, candies, buttons, etc. I wish it came in a different container, a squeeze bottle would be beneficial. (not sponsored)

Materials
styrofoam balls
vase, mini flowerpot
strong adhesive
jelly beans
lollipop stick or skewer
cotton balls
decorative filler/cover, like grass or moss

Directions
Using a dab of glue, stick a styrofoam ball into the bottom of your flower pot and let set.
With another dab of glue slide a larger styrofoam ball onto the stick then into the base.Jelly Bean Tree Craft for Kids #KidsintheKitchen Distribute the glue onto the styrofoam ball in sections. We did lines at first then just filled in spaces. Be sure to hold the jellybeans in place for a few moments so they get a good grip.

Jelly Bean Tree Craft for Kids #KidsintheKitchen

(This is where a good glue is important. School Glue might work but I don’t think it dries fast enough to make this a project suitable for kids)

As one side of the ball was getting heavy we supported the stick with pompoms (or cotton balls). these can be removed at the end but Shae ended up keeping them and making them part of her arrangement.

At one point the one of our ball was filled with jellybeans making it a bit top heavy so I placed it in my hand so Shae could add the last of the jelly beans.Jelly Bean Tree Craft for Kids #KidsintheKitchen Once your ball is covered in jelly beans and set sprinkle the top of your flowerpot with “grass”. We used crumpled up, cut up scrap paper. Now it’s sitting on my shelf in the kitchen.

Jelly Bean Tree Craft for Kids #KidsintheKitchen
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky






Paper Bag Birds Nest #kidsinthekitchen

April 4, 2014 by

The weather has finally changed for the better. No snow for almost 2 weeks now, that might be longest run we’ve had for the last 4-5 months. We’re noticing the birds making nests in the trees so why make our own Paper Bag Birds Nest to celebrate the great weather we’re experiencing and the new feathered friends taking over the neighborhood.
DIY Paper Bag Birds Nest #craftsforkids #kidsinthekitchen #easter
A simple lunch bag and some jelly beans makes an adorable little nest.

Supplies
paper bag
school glue or glue stick (shae used both)
jelly beans

Directions
Cut open your paper bag so it lays flat. From it cut 4 circles, 2 of them about 4 or 5″ across and 2 of them 3″ across.

Cut the larger circles into a spiral.

DIY Paper Bag Birds Nest #craftsforkids #kidsinthekitchen #easter

Starting from the middle of the spiral create a flat-ish base and wrap the spiral of paper around the OUTSIDE of itself. Add drops of glue as you go to keep it in place.
DIY Paper Bag Birds Nest #craftsforkids #kidsinthekitchen #easter
Crumple your spiral before wrapping for a more rustic look.

Glue your smaller circle on the bottom of your nest. This gives it more support and closes up any holes so the “eggs” don’t fall through.

Set aside your nest to dry for 20-30 minutes then add eggs. DIY Paper Bag Birds Nest #craftsforkids #kidsinthekitchen #easter
These would be cute placecards for the Easter dinner.

To make this more permanent go ahead and glue your jelly beans into the nest or make eggs from clay.

DIY Paper Bag Birds Nest #craftsforkids #kidsinthekitchen #easter
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Linky Rules, #kidsinthekitchen

#KidsintheKitchen Weekly Linky





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