Healthy Banana + Peanut Butter "Milkshake"

I’m a firm believer that you have got to let the kids live a little when it comes to food. It’s inevitable that they are going to get some not-so-healthy food elsewhere: from friends and even family sometimes (smh). But if I can control what I give Parker at home and help show him that healthy food can taste REALLY good too, then that makes me feel a bit better about it.

I love to tell him what certain foods do for us. Eggs make us strong, carrots help us see better and berries help us poop! LOL. If you could only see his cute little inquisitive face when I say this stuff. He goes “yeah!” while nodding his tilted head up and down with his big, bright eyes.

Anyway, a little while back one of the grandparents gave Parker a sip of a milkshake (a very real, very dairy and sugar heavy milkshake). Parker’s eyes lit up and the first thing out of his mouth was “ooooh MMMM.” He was a happy kiddo. And hey, I totally get it! I’d probably say the same. But after that, I was determined to get that same reaction out of a healthier milkshake!

Say hello to banana + peanut butter milkshakes…

I have been making him these ridiculously simple things ever since and he inhales them. No dairy and added sugars needed! And I always advise you to make the full recipe so you can enjoy some yourself : )

Toddler Banana + Peanut Butter “Milkshake”
serves 2

2 medium bananas (frozen)
1 c. vanilla unsweetened almond milk
1 heaping spoonful of organic peanut butter (almond butter is fine too)
1 tsp. ground flax or chia seeds
2 shakes of cinnamon

Directions:

Place bananas, almond milk, vanilla and nut butter in a blender.

Blend for 1 minute.

Add in cinnamon and flax.

Blend again until smooth.

So easy and so yummy!

High Protein Egg Muffins (With Arugula, Feta and Quinoa)

Recently, I have been putting some major effort into getting back in shape. It only took about a year and half to find the motivation after Parker was born, but HEY, gotta start somewhere. To be honest, I have actually really enjoyed the last year and a half of being relaxed about what I ate and a lot more lenient with working out. But, since I’ve got a lot of awesome things coming up (and some that might require a lot more photos of myself), I realize that I want to put some time into my body before that all happens.

Plus, summer.

With that said, I have been working on a plan with a trainer (which I will go into more details about later). My schedule is a bit crazy so I have been having to do more home workouts; but I’ve been working out 4-5 times a week. And as for my meals – I’m trying to keep everything in balance (protein- carbs- fats) for my personal body type and goals, which requires a lot of preparation. The hardest part for me is upping my protein count without a starch based protein (like beans, sweet potatoes, etc) and having to eat 5 times a day- it’s easy to run out of ideas!

These egg muffins however, have been a lifesaver! And even better, Parker LOVES them. They are packed with nutrients, simple to make and a perfect ratio of protein, carbs and fats. I like them as a snack or for a quick breakfast.

High Protein Egg Muffins

3 eggs

1 C. egg whites

2 Tbs. plain almond milk (or regular organic milk)

1 C. cooked quinoa

1 C. arugula

1/2 C. feta

1/2 C. chopped mushrooms

1/4 C. chives

sea salt + pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, eggs, milk and some salt and pepper (whisk well and set aside)
Spray muffin tins with oil (about 9)
Stuff the arugula, mushrooms, and chives evenly into each tin (not too full)
Add about a tablespoon of quinoa into each tin (over the veggies)
Then, sprinkle some feta on top of the mixture in each tin
(Alternatively, you can mix together all of the ingredients excluding the egg mixture, together in a bowl before placing them into the tin)
Gently mix together the ingredients in each tin
Divide and pour in egg mixture evenly over all 9 tins (filling just barely to the top)
Cook for about 20-30 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Two-Ingredient Banana Oat Toddler Cookies

I know how easy it is to reach for pre-packaged food when you have a little one. I even try and grab the healthiest brands I know for my little guy, but I still would rather give him something healthier and homemade.

So, allow me to introduce to you our new favorite:

Two-ingredient cookies.

These are ridiculously simple, healthy, tasty and perfect for your little one. I also spent about, hmmm, 3 minutes prepping these? Yep.

Two-Ingredient Banana Oat Toddler Cookies

makes about 10

2 large bananas

2 cups oats

Optional ingredients:

Pinch of sea salt

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Chocolate Chips

Raisins

Coconut

Pecans

Cranberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Place bananas and oats in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth

Add in any optional ingredients (I add sea salt, cinnamon, chocolate chips and vanilla)

Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray

Drop about a tablespoon of batter per cookie onto cookie sheet; flatten a bit with a spoon

Bake for about 10-12 minutes

Remove from oven, allow to cool and ENJOY!

Quick, Easy + Healthy: A Day of Meals for a Toddler

It’s hard enough planning meals for us adults, let alone our kiddos (am I right??) And since I’m not with Parker during the day throughout the week, I try and do all I can to make sure he has plenty of good food to eat. It is SO easy to reach for a box of mac n’ cheese or feed him starches all day. But, considering the fact that I get to control the food he eats (for now…) I’ve tried to put a lot of thought into things that are quick and easy to put together (and also taste great).

Just like I do for myself, I pre-cut a lot of fruit for the week and always make extra dinner for lunches the next day!

Here is a sample day of food for a toddler:

Breakfast:

5 oz organic whole milk

Scrambled eggs with a side of avocado and sliced honeydew melon

*We share! Tyson and I make a big batch of scrambled eggs with spinach, mushroom and onions and Parker will eat the same.

Snack:

Lightly salted snap pea crisps or HappyBaby Puffs

Lunch:

Sunshine Burger heated with some organic green beans (all from frozen)

*And of course he is drinking water all day long

Snack:(optional)

Sliced almond cheese (soy free) and some raspberries

*Sometimes he needs this second snack, sometimes he doesn’t.

Dinner:

Salmon, sweet potato and veggies
6 oz organic whole milk

*He normally just eats what we make for dinner

What are your go-to quick and healthy meals? I’d love some more ideas!

Quick Baby Fuel: 9-12 Months

I was pretty clueless when it came time to introduce foods to Parker. I spent a few days researching all sorts of methods and frankly just got extremely overwhelmed. We decided to introduce mashed and pureed foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, avocado and apples just a little bit prior to 6 months. Then, we started adding brown rice cereals, more pureed veggies and soft fruits into his diet between 7 and 8 months. Once he hit 9 months, I tried my best to start implementing bigger meals and an assortment of healthy foods since he was no longer breastfeeding. I found that Parker was much more interested in eating what we were having, so I tried to incorporate foods that Tyson and I would want to eat as well, and always made extra.

These 6 items have been my “quick” food staples for Parker. I try to use these before I go grab one of the baby food pouches (even though they do have some great options). My issue with those pouches is that Parker 1). Can eat three at time and 2). The consistency is still too liquid-like. Here are my go-to’s:

1. Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Cereal– I love this mix and so does Parker! It is packed with nutrients (quinoa, flax, etc.) and higher in protein. I like to mash up a bit of banana or mix in some unsweetened apple sauce with a dash of cinnamon to give it some extra love.

2. Cantaloupe– You can’t really go wrong here. This is one of my favorite, easy to eat snacks for Parker.

3. Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Pasta– I love cooking this up (takes about 10 minutes) for a quick lunch and sometimes dinner. We generally try and give Parker what we have for dinner, but when that isn’t the case, the is our go-to. We always opt for brown rice pasta over regular. My only complaint is the small amount of added sugar in this mix. Other than that, the flavor is great!

4. Eggs- Organic, cage free always. These bad boys are a staple in the Nead house. One of Parker’s favorite meals is scrambled eggs and diced avocado, you know, because he tells me. 😉
Eggs are quick, nutrient dense and a great way to get some protein in, so we are big fans!

5. Suja Power Greens Juice– This took a try or two before Parker really liked it, but there are so few ways for babies to get greens in (unless easily cooked) that I was determined to get him to have some. I love this one because it only contains apples to sweeten it, so you aren’t overloaded with sugar like most “healthy” juices. Put a little in a sippy cup and he’s a happy boy!

6. Avocado– need I say more? The munchkin has to get his healthy fats in!

Happy eating!!