My Story

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Welcome to LittleLicious! A place for food, fashion, and fun for your little ones! I am a busy mommy and designer who is constantly looking for ways to make nutritious meals that don't take a lot of time! Here you will find great recipes and shortcuts, fabulous fashion, and fun activities to do with your kids! Thanks for visiting!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Felt board Shapes Matching Game

I don't know about you, but when I need to get things done around my house, my son's high chair is my best friend. Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to lock him in there un-entertained. This activity kept him busy while helping him learn shapes, and I was able to mop my floor. A huge victory as far as I am concerned ;0)

1. Go to a craft or fabric store and buy some felt. You can usually find 8 x 11 felt sheets for 30 cents or so. Buy 1 for your canvas, and get 6 different colors for your shapes. 

2. Draw out some shapes on paper (preferably card stock or card board if you have it) to make shape templates. Any shapes will do-circle,square, rectangle, star, etc. I made 6 as they fit well on my canvas.

3. Trace each shape on your canvas so your child has an outline to match the shapes on. 


4. Cut each different shape in a different color


Viola! You have a shape matching game that will keep him occupied while mastering shapes! 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Superfoods For A Super Smart Kid!- Packing a School Lunch That Counts


It is that time of year!  Summer is coming to an end, and school is back in session. As we all know, schedules are busy and time is a precious commodity!  Here are a few easy and healthy superfoods, so you can send your kids to school with a lunch that will pack a punch!





Blueberries-  Blueberries are one of the best and easiest superfoods to serve!  They are high in phytonutrients, which are both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Blueberries are also a great source of fiber, manganese, and vitamin C! Recent studies also show that blueberries can help improve memory!
So pack them as a snack, put them in yogurt, or bake them into a healthy whole wheat muffin.

Apples-  There is a reason that the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".  Apples are a huge source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.  1 large apple contains about 30% of the minimum daily fiber intake as listed by the Daily Values.  Most of the antioxidant value comes from an apples skin- so try to serve it with the skin on when possible.

Avocados- Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fat, the "good fat", that the American Heart Association says can help lower bad cholesterol. Avocados are rich in folate, which is critical for brain health, and are also a good source of magnesium and potassium!  So slice them up and put them on your child's sandwich, or whip up a batch of guacamole for them to take for lunch!

Spinach- Popeye was a smart guy.  This dark leafy green is an important source of Vitamin K, which is great for maintaining strong bones; It is high in Folate, which is great for brain strength; and rich in Iron, Manganese, and Vitamin C, making it a cancer fighting power house.
I know what you are thinking-"How am I gonna get spinach into my kids lunch?"  How about sneaking into their sandwich?  Perhaps even salad? You also could try our recipe for Spinach Potato Pancakes.

Turkey-  This meat is not just meant to be gobbled up once a year.  Turkey is a lean source of protein and a good source of Vitamin B6, B12, Zinc, Selenium, and Niacin- all heart healthy nutrients and valuable in fighting disease.  So pile it high on a sandwich, or fry up one of our Turkey Burgers!


Sources
http://www.superfoodsrx.com/superfoods/
http://www.naturalnews.com/023134_folate_vitamin_B-12_brain.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=43

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Whole Wheat Dairy Free Banana Pancakes with Apples and Walnuts



Whole-Wheat Banana Pancakes (freeze the leftovers!)

I LOVE breakfast.  I love it even more when I can make something healthy and delicious to start out our day; And I love breakfast the MOST when I can make it ahead of time and freeze the rest so that I have an amazing breakfast out in seconds for several mornings afterwards! These pancakes make so many that I can literally make them once and have leftovers for almost 2 weeks (yes it makes that many!)  



INGREDIENTS


1 Apple
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts (I buy the package already chopped up)
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups whole-wheat flour (I use King Arthur’s organic white whole-wheat flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Agave Nectar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 ¾ cups Vanilla Almond milk
2 tablespoons Smart Balance vegan butter, melted (or just regular butter if you can have dairy)

Directions

Peel and chop and apple, pour out package of chopped walnuts



Mash 2 ripe bananas



In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Make a well (hole) in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the honey, eggs, milk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Whisk together thoroughly, but do not overmix. Gently fold the mashed bananas, walnuts, and apples into the batter with a spatula. 





Heat a griddle or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Swirl enough butter around the pan until it is well coated. Add pancake batter using a soup ladle.

When the pancakes have begun brown on the bottom, flip them over to cook the other side.
Serve with warm maple syrup And don’t forget to freeze the leftovers for another day!