All Aldi // Almond Butter Oat Bars

So, you guys all know my issues with Aldi lately. It's not them, really, it's me. I figured rather than whine about it, I'd start trying to cook more from scratch again -- using all Aldi ingredients. This particular snack is highly adaptable. You can use most any nut butter you like and add in whatever sounds good. It's also kid and toddler approved, hence the llama in my photo.

ALMOND BUTTER OAT BARS

What you'll need . . .

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1-1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Salt, for sprinkling

Method . . .

1. Spritz a 9x13 inch pan lightly with oil. Set aside.
2. Melt the almond butter, honey, and coconut oil together on medium heat. Whisk it until smooth and take off heat once incorporated, being careful not to burn the almond butter.
3. Using a spoon or spatula, stir in the oats, cereal, and cranberries. You can also add chocolate chips (they'll melt), pepitas, or anything else that sounds good to you!
4. Spread into your prepared pan, sprinkle with a little salt, and refrigerate until firm. Cut into 16 bars.
5. Alternatively, you can roll loose "dough" into balls for energy chunks.

More Aldi:

Aldi Foods for Picky Toddlers and Kids
$93 Aldi Weekly Grocery Haul
$400 Monthly Food Budget
18 Vegetarian Grocery Staples at Aldi
All Aldi content this way . . . 

Read more...

DIY Mermaid Sensory Board

We have a children's space totally dedicated to sensory play where I live. It has all sorts of cool things to touch and see. One of my favorites has always been these little frames filled with that mermaid flip sequin fabric. I don't think that's what it's called, but you get me. They are around six inches to a foot in size and are anchored to the walls for kids to play with.

Naturally, I wanted to bring this idea home.

In a BIG way . . .

I actually bought the fabric for this project before Christmas and just never got around to finishing it. Not that it takes long at all. And I kind of winged the execution, so this "tutorial" is more of a "see what I did, try it and maybe improve upon my method" kind of thing. In its current iteration, it works great. But I'm sure it could be refined.

First, you need your sequin fabric. I bought mine on Amazon, though I'm sure you may be able to find this stuff at your local craft shop. I chose the classic mermaid blue/green and black. It comes in an impressive array of shades, though, so you could get this to match any decor. You know, because this will be living in your living room, most likely.

So, a yard is 36" x 47". Massive.


All I did with the fabric is stretch + mount it inside a cheap plastic poster frame I had bought at Target eons ago. So, for me this project only cost the amount of the fabric. You can get a similar frame for around $10-$15. Alternatively, you could also put the fabric on the wall and then frame around it with wood trim, if you are extra handy.

There really was no trick to stretching it. I just placed the clear plastic frame insert (that would go over the poster) in the center of my fabric. I pulled the fabric taught around it and folded the extra pieces flat. I then put it in the frame and put the backing of the frame over top of the folded pieces. Then I pressed down all those tabs on the back of the frame to keep everything in place.

Note: Keeping the folded pieces there wasn't just laziness -- it helps hold everything tight. You could also cut the fabric to size and glue it to the clear insert. I'm sure there are many ways that would work.

And then we got to playing:


Again, this isn't a very technical tutorial. Ada and Eloise love this thing equally. And it's big enough that they can both play with it at the same time. I think we'll end up putting it in the play room, attached to the wall. But it's also nice to place on a table or the floor.

Oh! If you don't feel like going to all this trouble or spending much money, you can also get those sequin fabric pillows to toss about. They're super fun, too. And most cost around $7. Boom!

Let me know if you try this project! I was incredibly surprised how easily it came together.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Read more...

Ode to Baby Gates

When you scroll through all those carefully curated images on perfect-mommy Instagram feeds, what is one thing you rarely see? BABY GATES. Right? I mean, I would love to have my toddler free-ranging it in the house. And I tried. Oh, I tried.

But this baby gate has been a total game-changer.

If you're in the market, it's the Evenflo Soft + Wide Gate ($40 and PRIME).

Wide is the part that matters most.

In brief: Eloise had taken to climbing up the dining room table, like c.o.n.s.t.a.n.t.l.y. When I was trying to cook. When I was trying to clean. Just, always. I had trouble finding a gate for the nearly 60 inches of gap between the kitchen and dining room. I kept beating myself up thinking that somehow I needed to simply figure out how to get her to stop . . . or that magically she would learn the proper way to keep herself safe with enough trial and error.

Nope.

She fell hard the other day, and I said to hell with it. To hell with aesthetics. To hell with being one of those mystical earth mamas who doesn't cage in her kids. The gate showed up the next day in the mail (super fast!) . . . and I installed it immediately. I actually don't mind at all how it looks. We intend to keep it up most of the time, but it folds away very easily for storage and even travel.

Here's the way our downstairs is now gated off.


Not exactly pretty. Not exactly glamorous. But I can now turn my back for three whole seconds without having to worry (too much). The two gates work together to keep Eloise off the dining table AND the stairs. It's amazing. I think the only thing I love more is our toilet lock. Because, well, I was finding EVERYTHING tossed in the toilet. That's not something we dealt with when Ada was a toddler because we only had one upstairs bathroom.

I have a toy organization post planned for next week. Get ready for it! In the meantime, happy weekend! I think the stomach bug has arrived in our household. Should be an interesting few days.

Read more...

DIY Christmas // The Dress-Up Box

This is a re-post of a blog entry I wrote when Ada was two! I am thinking of making something similar for Eloise for Christmas. And if you need more gift ideas for kids, check out my 2017 gift guide. I share exactly what we're getting the girls this year, not just random stuff.

The highlight of Ada's birthday party was her gift, the dress-up box. Now, this isn't really a tutorial so much as it's an inexpensive gift idea for toddlers and little kids. I thought of making this box for Ada when I noticed she liked going around the upstairs + rummaging through drawers. She'd put on socks and shoes and tights and mittens and scarves. Anything and everything she could get her hands on.

The beauty of this "project" is that it can be completely free if you have things around your house to use. It can be low-cost if you want to use thrifted items or even use (or sew!) your own. And if can also be all sorts of fancy if you have the budget to make it that way.

The choice is yours.

STEP #1: Find a nice box.

You can use one you already own or buy new. I had this zippered hat box I received a gift in years ago that had been sitting in our attic. I was at the crossroads of either getting rid of it or finding a new use. And actually that's how this whole gift idea started to take shape. I like having a box that closes well -- Ada knows how to use the zipper, but I can hear her before everything gets thrown about the entire house.  

I also think it'd be cool to somehow place a mirror or reflective surface inside the box. So, keep that in mind. Ada loves dressing up, but seeing herself in her fun outfits gets even more smile points.

(Bonus points if kid can fit inside the box.)


STEP #2: Find stuff to put in the box.

You can buy brand new clothing or actual dress-up clothing + costumes at a store, if you want. I opted to hit up thrift stores for some cheaper finds. It means the clothes don't really coordinate and are of various sizes and styles -- but it's perfect for a toddler.

I ended up getting . . .

• 5 poofy skirts
• 2 long scarves
• 2 bandanas
• 2 fisherman hats
• 1 fuzzy "leopard" poncho
• 1 reversible vest
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 extremely ridiculous clown sweater

 = $12.50 total 


STEP #3: Maintain the box.

Though this step is one I have yet to follow myself, I've decided that I'm going to wash the clothing in the box once a month -- unless something gets really dirty, which I'm sure is bound to happen. I sort of thought everything would just stay clean, but painting + markers and then snacks + milk happened. It's just like regular clothing.

As well, I might add different items as I find things and cull through my own scarves and such. Or if I see something fun at a thrift store or online and the price is right.


TIPS + TRICKS:

• Buy clothing at least one size larger than your child wears. They wear this stuff over their regular clothing, so it makes sense. Sizes for Ada (who is just starting to get into the 2T size) range between 3T to 6. It all goes back to thrift store tips -- sometimes clothing shrinks or just fits different needs.
• Wash absolutely everything before putting it in the box. I've heard some thrift stores spray clothing with a chemical (could be urban legend -- but I believe it), so it's just not worth risking.
• Pick crazy things versus just normal everyday clothing. You can this stuff to look ridiculous, but also appeal to the insane style choices of a toddler. The weirder, the better, at least in my opinion.
• Think beyond play. This whole dress-up thing is also a chance to teach kids how to dress and undress themselves, which is a real life skill. Try to choose clothing that facilitates that development -- bigger neck openings on shirts, for example, make it easier for little hands to navigate these learning waters.

Does your toddler like playing dress-up?

Read more...

Gifts for Kids // 2015 Edition

I can’t believe it’s December already! As you know, I do gift lists every year. I’m no Oprah, but I enjoy assembling these lists. Last year, I did the whole “30 gifts for under $30” thing. This year, I made the list more varied. As always, a lot of these items are things Ada plays with daily or has been given (or WILL be given) as gifts.

PS: While we’re on the topic of the holidays -- I have a question! Ada, my JUST turned 4-year-old, came home today crying because a kid in her preschool class was spreading around that Santa isn’t real. I know families have so many different ways they approach this issue. But I was just like c’mon! It’s too early for her spirit to be crushed on this issue. Any suggestions for how to keep the magic alive?

Alright. Let’s jump in first with the kid list this year!

Melissa + Doug Lock/Doorbell House

Rubens Barn Doll

Kid o Bilibo

Fisher Price Roller Skates

Lincoln Logs

Melissa + Doug Standing Easel

Pumud 3D Backpack (Assorted)

Little Tikes Trampoline

Bentgo Leak-Proof Lunchbox

Lego Classic Box

Kid Knit Loom Kit

N’Ice Kids Balaclava

Bearpaw Meadow Boot

Mermaid Tail Blanket

Play-Doh Meal Makin’ Kitchen

Frog and Toad Story Treasury

Backyard Safari Vest

Magformers Rainbow Set

Ohio Art Etch-A-Sketch

Tubbs Snowflake Snowshoe

KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse

Perler Bucket O’Beads Sea Life Kit

Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat)

Fisher Price Teaching Keys Keyboard

Sorry Game

Aurora T-Rex Puppet

Ultimate Crayon Case

* Links are Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for your continued support of (never)homemaker. And happy shopping!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Morning Glory Muffins

A friend of mine shared a recipe for a delicious morning glory loaf on Facebook last week. And immediately, I just had to make them. I’m being serious. I put the computer down and started getting out all my baking pans to find the muffin tin. But, I set out to change a few things with this recipe. First, I was out of eggs and typically bake things vegan out of habit. And I wanted to include less oil. And no refined sugar.

So, I modified and mixed and even tossed in some freshly squeezed clementine juice for natural sweetness. What resulted from these efforts is a truly amazing breakfast muffin that’s also gluten-free, vegan, and full of fruits and veggies.

Ada ate half the batch herself.

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS

Adapted from this awesome recipe on Imagine Childhood.

What you’ll need . . . 

• 1 cup GF rolled oats processed into flour
• 1/2 cup GF rolled oats, whole
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons flax meal + 6 tablespoons hot water (2 flax “eggs")
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 orange (or 1 full clementine) -- just the juice
• And also the zest, if you like it!
• 2 large carrots, shredded (around 1 cup)
• 1 large apple, shredded (around 1 cup)
• 1/3 cup walnuts, pulsed to crumble

Method . . . 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a muffin tin with Earth Balance or coconut oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, oats, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a smaller bowl, combined the maple syrup, olive oil, flax eggs, vanilla, orange juice, then pour this mixture into the dry ingredients.
4. Add the carrots, apples, and walnuts, and mix until well incorporated.
5. Then divide evenly among your pan -- 12 muffins in all -- and bake for 20-25 minutes. Until golden brown and set in the center.
6. Let cool on a rack for a few minutes before consuming. I am sure you can also freeze once they are totally cooled, but they didn’t last that long in our house!

You’re going to love these muffins. 

Just a note that the batter will definitely be shaggy, if that makes any sense. It might not seem like you have enough oat covering to go over all those shredded apples and carrots. I assure you, it will all bake up beautifully. And these are incredibly healthy if you consider they’re mostly just oatmeal baked into muffins.

Enjoy!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

30 Gifts For $30 or Less // Baby

And now for a few frugal gifts for the two and under crowd. The vast majority of the items on this list are things we actually used ourselves during Ada’s baby years. It was kind of emotional writing up this list because I had lots of memories of our tiny, drooling little girl!

Here we go:

Tot Bots Cloth Diapers

Stella Peach Baby Doll

Manhattan Toy Wooden Grasp Toy

Aden + Anais Security Blanket (2-Pack)

Zutano Fleece Booties

My Quiet Book

Infantino Mei Tai Carrier

Infantino Activity Mat

Damai Diaper Tote

Kiddopotamus Placemat 

Plan Toys Stacking Tree

Sleep Sound Animals (Assorted)

Lollaland Lollacup

Green Toys Bath Ferry Boat

Zutano Fleece Hat

Shea Moisture Head-To-Toe Wash

Organic Veggie Crate

Zo-Li Gum Massagers

Bandana Bibs Set

Baby’s First Block Books

Schleich Animals (Assorted)

Eric Carle First Library

ALEX String-A-Farm

Natural Finger Paint Set

Leveret Baby + Kid PJs (Assorted)

B. One Squeeze Blocks

High Contrast Tag Ball

Bamboo Dinnerware Set (Assorted)

Melissa + Doug Band In A Box

Rockabye Baby Lullaby CDs

* Links are Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for your continued support of (never)homemaker. And happy shopping!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

30 Gifts For $30 or Less // Kids

Hey, guys. So, this list for kids was harder to assemble than I expected. Children change so incredibly much from year to year -- so it’s difficult to get a catch-all guide for the kinds of gifts they’d love to see under the tree, etc. I may actually write up a list for babies (2 and under), but I’m going to give you a break from gift lists for a few posts because I have food and other thoughts to share.

Psst: If you’re catching up here’s my list for Gifts Under $30 (Ladies) and Gifts Under $30 (Gents).

I actually favor non-toy gifts for kids as the big event. Like a membership to a museum, a dance or swim class, a day-trip filled with unique experiences, or something else memorable for the whole family. However, this year we’ve discovered that Ada has aged out of a lot of her toys, so we did end up getting her several things (on this list) to replace those items we’re putting in storage for whenever baby #2 comes.

Happy Friday!

Reptangles Stackers

Melissa + Doug Triangular Crayons

Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Candy Land, 65th Anniversary Ed.

Phonetic Reading Blocks

Eco Vessel Water Bottle

Lite Brite Cube

Original Hoberman Sphere

I Never Forget A Face Memory Game

Gummygoods Nightlight 

ALEX Giant Art Jar

Moluck Bilibo Rock + Spin

Fisher Price Camera

Makedo Creator Kits

Polka Dot Bean Bag Chair

Manhattan Toy Finger Puppets

Okina Soprano Ukelele

Wenzel Sleeping Bag

Wooden Tinker Toy

Lego Watch

Topographical Globe (Inflatable)

Treasury of Picture Book Classics

E. B. White Boxed Set

Assorted Magnetic Dress-Up (Boys + Girls)

Marble Run Set

Inflatable Animal Hopper

Monkey Balance Board

Learning Microscope

Homemade Pizza Play

Melissa + Doug Farm Blocks

* Links are Amazon affiliate links. Thanks for your continued support of (never)homemaker. And happy shopping!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Roasted Veggie + Tomato Hummus

Another kid + adult-friendly recipe today. I think you'll be seeing a lot of these as we attempt to expand Ada's will-eat list. It's not that children can't eat the same foods as adults, but -- well -- really, they can't.

Since I started my love affair with cooking, I've gotten salt and seasonings heavy. Specifically with spice and heat. When I'd attempt to serve Ada some of our favorite foods, I'd quickly realize I shouldn't have added that 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne, for example. Or that glug of Texas Pete. Oops.

But taking the spice and salinity down a notch doesn't mean eating bland, boring foods.

I'm thinking hummus.
Does that sound good to you?

If you don't have tahini in the cupboard (likely the case over here), you can improvise.


A can of chickpeas + a few pulses of the food processor . . .


ROASTED VEGGIE + TOMATO HUMMUS

What you'll need . . . 

• 1/2 cup (heaping) roasted veggies*
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup Pomi strained tomatoes
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

* If you don't have roasted veggies on hand (we just eat them ALL the time), simply cut up eggplant, portabellas, bell peppers, onions, etc. into large chunks. Toss in some olive oil and a little bit of salt and pepper and roasted in the oven at 400 degrees F for around 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until well browned.

Method . . . 

1. In your food processor, toss in your veggies, chickpeas, and olive oil. 
2. As you pulse, add in the strained tomatoes a couple tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Store in an air-tight container for up to a week (though ours only lasts a couple days!).

You may remember from the Boozy + Bold Tomato Sauce recipe that I've signed on to take the Pomi challenge. This month's mission? Using Pomi with eggplant -- I think this is a delicious combination!

Do you ever make hummus without tahini? What's your favorite mix?

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...

Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ada has reached the age where she's interested in all the food on OUR plates versus her own. As if  you all didn't know it already, I have a cookie habit. "What's that?" she asks me, ignoring her peas. "Cookie," I say -- hoping to distract her with a book or puzzle.

"Cookie. Cookie. CoooooooooOOOOOOOOOkie!" she cries.

And that's how Ada's cookie habit began. But what she doesn't know is what I give her is actually pretty tame on the sweets spectrum. So, young or old -- this one's sure to please. The chocolate topping is optional (those ones are mama's cookies!)

HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES 
makes just over a dozen

What you'll need . . .

• 4 tablespoons honey or maple syurp
• 1/2 cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter (homemade to really control sugar + salt content)
• 4 tablespoons Earth Balance
• 1 tablespoon flax meal
• 3 tablespoons hot water 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour*
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1 cup rolled oats, uncooked
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

* I imagine a gluten-free substitute or other flours -- spelt, buckwheat -- would work well, too, since it's such a small amount.


Method . . . 

1. Preheat your oven to  375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the peanut butter, Earth Balance, and honey/maple syrup.
3. In a separate, small bowl, combine the flax meal with the hot water and let sit for a couple minutes. Then add the mixture + vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until well incorporated.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until just combined. Then scoop heaping tablespoons onto the cookie sheet.
5. Bake between 9 and 11 minutes, depending on the sweetener you used (honey tends to brown sooner). Let cool before serving.

I make these cookies naked for Ada and she easily polishes off half of one at a sitting. I, on the other hand, could eat quite a few.

To make it a mommy (or daddy) cookie, just melt 1/4 to 1/3 cup dark chocolate or bittersweet chips with 1/2 teaspoon Earth Balance on the stove, stirring constantly. Then use a spatula to haphazardly drip chocolate on top. Or artfully, whatever you think it is.

YUP. I'll probably be one of those moms who brings chocolate-tofu pie to snack time at preschool. I'm owning it. Honestly, I'll do anything to get my kid to eat, even if it means crafting low sugar or seemingly strange concoctions. But they taste great, so who cares what's in them?

Happy Monday!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

Read more...