Baked Oatmeal Brownie (Gluten Free, Egg Free, No added sugar)

How good does this look?? It is intended as a "breakfast" which it very well could be, but in this house I also use it as a dessert because CHOCOLATE! My kids love it. There is also NO added sugar however there is maple syrup which yes is "sugar" but you know what I mean. Guilt free in my book! And yes you have permission to eat it for breakfast as well.

2c milk (use plant-based milk to make it dairy free!)

1/2c maple syrup

1/3c peanut butter (can warm to make it easier to mix)

1tsp vanilla extract

2c rolled oats

1/4c cocoa powder

1tbs flaxseed meal

1 tsp baking powder

1/3c chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8x8 pan. Mix all ingredients well except for chips. Pour batter into greased pan then sprinkle chips over top. Bake 40-50 min until toothpick comes out clean in center. Cool and serve!

The oats, flax, and pb make for some high powered plant fiber and protein source to keep you feeling full and energized longer that most simple carb breakfast or dessert foods. You can add more syrup for a sweeter flavor, or swap for honey if you choose. Let me know if you like it!

"Almond Joy" Chia Pudding (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, No added sugar)

Have you ever made chia pudding? Does that sounds weird to you? Well it is weird, but it's so delicious, and also super healthy! There are endless varieties of flavors you can make and it's the perfect snack or even breakfast that you can whip up to have ready in the fridge any time. This recipe is a great imitation of those indulgent Almond Joy flavors we all love--chocolate, coconut, and almonds.

PUDDING:

3tbs chia seeds

1 tbs maple syrup OR honey

1tsp vanilla extract

3/4c coconut milk

1tbs cocoa powder

TOPPINGS:

sliced almonds

coconut flakes

mini chocolate chips

Mix all pudding ingredients and let sit x5 minutes. Mix again to break up any clumps. If too thick, add a little bit more milk. This will thicken more as it sits. Divide up into portion sizes and top with layers of the toppings as you like. Store in fridge. Best to wait a few hours before eating.

So yummy, and so simple! Chia seeds are oh so healthy for you and full of much needed fiber that has many benefits for your body. Let me know how you like this one!

Easter at Home

This Easter we had a couple of friends over for a nice dinner and enjoyed our holiday traditions with the boys. The weather was nice and sunny so they got to have their egg hunt outside!

We started off the morning in our pjs with their treat baskets! Full of special snacks, chocolate, and candy of course.

I got started on our big ham dinner and our friends arrived around 11:30am. We enjoyed their company and ate some delicious food, then played a card game while we waited for our stomachs to have some room for dessert. After dessert they headed home and Nick and I snuck outside to hide the eggs for the hunt!

We hid 68 eggs around the front of our backyard, and I think they found *most* of them!

Then they got to open each one up and enjoy some treats.

Look at these spring beauties that have popped up!!

We relaxed the rest of the day, and the boys actually had the next Monday off school as well so they had lots of time to enjoy their treats! It was back to school after that. Hope your Easter was nice as well!

Jacob Turns 10!

This big guy is now in the double digits! He STILL loves Minecraft, and it was perfect timing for the movie to come out!! I took him and his big brother out for a fun afternoon together. First we stopped at McDonalds for some Minecraft happy meals...

...then off to the small theater by us for the movie! The boys have only been to a theater a few times before so this was a big deal. We were first in the room so we got to pick the best seats. Evidently it's a thing for kids to shout quotes and funny things and clap and cheer at certain parts?? They had fun.

After the movie we came back home and he got to open his presents. He got some fun stuff from us, a Lego present from Uncle Eric, and cards with money from some family.

His special birthday dinner request was just "creamy mac and cheese" so I delivered on that of course!! For dessert he wanted a yellow cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles, and cookies n' creme ice cream.

I think he had a fun time, he stayed up till almost midnight playing with his new circuit kit and toys. This week the kids are off school for spring break so he gets extra time to enjoy his new gear!