Veggie Puffs!

In this post, I wanted to incorporate broccoli in a recipe! Not to toot my own horn but, I am so impressed with how these turned out! They are so good and I wanted to eat all of them once they came out of the oven! This recipe is packed with such goodness and so great for you!

I am just going to get straight to the good part! :)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Garlic cloves, minced

2 Large Eggs, beaten

1 cup regular Cream Cheese

1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

3-4 cups of Spinach, chopped

1/2 cup broccoli, chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

2. Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat and cook the onions and garlic until cooked through and caramelized. Takes about 10 minutes for this. 

 3. Whisk eggs into a mixing bowl.

4. In a food processor, add cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, broccoli, spinach, egg and onion/garlic mixture. Pulse to combine.

5. Pour the mixture into a greased mini muffin tin. (I topped mine with mozzarella cheese)

6. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the filing is set and golden on the top. 

You may also freeze these to have on hand for an easy snack!

Buffins!

I feel like it's a good day to blog about one of my most favorite things to eat: Muffins.
So, muffins happen to be one of my weaknesses. Hands down.  I eye them every time I get my morning coffee at the coffee shop, temptation station if you will. But.. blueberry banana?! Say whaaaat. Now things are being taken to a different level. I am semi obsessed with blueberries They are so delicious and have so many benefits for you! Did you know, that blueberries are packed with Vitamins C and E? They are also a rich source of the Phytonutrients (plant nutrient) Ellagic Acid. Which, Ellagic acid has proven anticancer and genetic-material-protection capabilities. Blueberries also have catechins in them. Which, is an active fat burning gene to help assist with weight loss. Not to mention, an incredible antioxidant.

What I love most about baking a batch of muffins is that I can freeze them and eat them over a period of time without worrying about them not getting eaten or going bad. So, for all my busy and hard working mommies.. this is the recipe for you!

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour (I used Bob's Red Mill all purpose four)

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas completely smashed)

1/2 cup milk (I used organic whole milk, you may use whatever kind of milk you have)

1 egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries (if you only have frozen blueberries, those work just fine!)

This recipe should make at least 12 muffins.

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. 

2. Line muffin tray with muffin cups. (I just sprayed mine with cooking spray, so you can you. I wont tell ;))

3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a medium mixing bowl, whisk to blend.

4. Put mashed bananas into a large separate bowl.

5. Stir in your milk, egg and oil.

6 Mix your dry ingredients with your liquid and mashed ingredients. Then, slowly add the blueberries. 

7. Pour your batter into your muffin tins.

8. Cook for about 20 minutes. It's always a safe call to do the toothpick test just because every oven is different. 

9. Let cool down and serve 'em up!

Just a note: It's delicious to serve with warm butter, almond butter or even cream cheese if you wish!

Most importantly, enjoy! XOXO



Simple Snacks!

I wanted to do a post with super simple snacks that literally take minutes, maybe even seconds to make. We all have the days where inspiration is hanging on by a thread and whipping up some creation is not on our list of top priorities... No, need to call me Super Woman or anything but, I'm here to lend a helping hand. :)

 

 

Here we go!

 

 

 

Greek Yogurt Frozen Blueberries:

These are so delicious, it's almost ridiculous.  

 

Ingredients:

 

 However many blueberries your little heart desires (These are tasty so, I would do about 30 or so.)

Greek Yogurt (I used Honey Greek Yogurt, the flavor was so delicious!)

 

 

Directions:

 

1.Wash and strain your berries.

2. Grab a plate and cover with wax paper.

3. Take a toothpick and puncture the blueberry, dipping it into the yogurt. (Using the toothpick gives you control and less of a mess!)

4. Set on wax paper. No need to keep the toothpick in the blueberry. Just use it for a tool :))

5. Freeze for 35 minutes!

Place in a Ziploc bag and keep in your freezer after for future indulgence :)

 

 

 Most importantly, enjoy!

 

Supervision is always advised :)

 

 

 

Whole Wheat bread, Whipped Berry Cream Cheese and Sliced Bananas:

 

The first time I saw this as a snack, I thought to myself "Wow, and I didn't think of this why?"

 

I know, right? Need I say more? So simple and of course, healthy.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Whole Wheat bread

1 whole banana

Whipped Berry cream cheese ( I used the Philadelphia brand. Their regular whipped cream cheese is also delish with bananas!)

 

Directions:

 

-I know pretty self explanatory but hey, if you're anything like me in the morning.. direction is a must. Hehe :)

 

 

1. Spread your cream cheese onto your bread.

2. Slice Bananas into semi thin slices

3. Place on bread.

Depending on how young your little one is, I cut mine into little squares.

 

 

Another fan favorite of this bread creation is, almond butter, a little honey and dried cherries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Sweet Po-tater Tots!

Tot this, Tot that... yes, anything Tot, I'm all in!

 

I am a huge fan of sweet potatoes as well as tater tots...I mean c'mon now. Best of both worlds right here! Plus, add the perfect dipping sauce and you're set!

Sweet Potatoes are not only tasty, they have so many great benefits! They are simply a great source of Iron and are high in Vitamin B6. A little fact on Vitamin B6: it helps reduce the chemical homocysteine, which has been linked with degenerative diseases, including the prevention of heart attacks.
It's also a great source of Vitamin C as well. I actually didn't know this about Vitamin C until I did some research but, it's important to help fight off cold and flu viruses. It also produces collagen which helps us maintain the elasticity in our skin to stay looking youthful! I'll take that ;)
One last benefit about sweet potatoes that I found important especially for children, is that it contains Vitamin D which, plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps build healthy hearts, bones, nerves, skin and teeth.

Now, wheres this recipe?!
 Just a note: This recipe is slightly time consuming and would be great to make when the kids go to bed or you have an hour or so of free time :)

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes

1/4 cup whole wheat flour (I used Bob Red Mill's flour)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used Bob Red Mill's)

1 cup panko breadcrumbs (I used regular bread crumbs, which worked fine. Panko is a thicker breadcrumb and would be delish too. Trying that next time around :))

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 egg, whisked 

Cooking spray

Directions:

1: Pre heat oven to 375 degrees
2. Peel your potatoes and cut into fourths.
 

3. Boil sweet potatoes in salted water in a pot for about 13 minutes. Make sure you poke with a fork before you stop boiling to see how soft they are. You do want your potatoes soft but no too soft for when you grate them.





4. Drain and let cool. 

5. Grate your sweet potatoes into a bowl.

 

6. Place both types of flour, breadcrumbs and cinnamon into a separate mixing bowl.

 

7. Place your whisked egg into a separate bowl.

8. Take a small amount of your grated sweet po and shape into a cylinder/tot with your middle finger and thumb.

 

9. Roll the tot into your whisked egg then, into the breadcrumb/flour mixture. Make sure to cover it on all sides

 

10. Place onto a sprayed baking sheet (repeat for each tot). Once all placed onto baking sheet, coat evenly with cooking spray. (So your breadcrumbs look not as dry, this makes that crisp tot texture.)

 

11. Bake for 15 minutes then flip over and bake other side until golden brown. 

12. Let these sit for about 15 minutes and serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

 

 

 

Recipe for Apricot-Mustard dipping sauce: 

1/4 cup Apricot Jam

1 tablespoon of Orange Juice

1 teaspoon of Yellow Mustard

1/4 cup of Plain Greek Yogurt

A pinch of cinnamon

 

 

 

Mix all together in a little serving bowl and serve! :) It's yummy, I promise.

 

Most importantly, enjoy!

Itty Bitty Berry Froyo Bites!

Yes, I just said froyo. In bite size form. It's a real thing and you must try this recipe!

It's super fun and so worth the wait after freezing them!

 

Here's a little bonus about Greek Yogurt: Typically, Greek yogurt contains half the sodium or salt as the regular variety. It also has only 5 to 8 grams of carbohydrates per serving verses plain, regular yogurt that has double or triple the amount. I don't know if you know a lot about Probiotics but, Greek yogurt has them in it. Probiotics can help treat UTI's, digestive disorders, etc. It is so important your child digests their food properly and healthy.

 

Omggggosh, they are simply delicious and good for you as well! Two in one!

 

 

Look at them!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup blueberries

1 cup Greek yogurt ( I used Greek yogurt that had honey added in. It was a glorious choice!)

 

I also made a Spinach and Strawberry batch too. If you decide to do so:

 

1 cup strawberries

1/2 cup spinach

1 cup Greek yogurt

*Note: Spinach retains a lot of water. These melted super fast. Boooo! Trial and error. :)

 

 

Directions:

 

1. In a food processor or blender, blend all ingredients.

 

 



 

2. Here's the tricky part: I took a Ziploc bag, cut a small corner piece off making it into a piping bag(cake decorator) I poured the mix carefully into the bag. You may need a little help with that part.

 

3. Start to slowly pour your mix into your ice cube trays. (I used the circular trays with the silicone bottoms. So easy to pop them out after they are done freezing.)



 

4. Cover with Press and Seel or Saran Wrap, whichever you have on hand and let freeze for about 2-3 hours!

 

 

5. Serve them up and indulge! I cut mine into halves when I gave them to the kids, just to be on the safe side. Supervision is encouraged if you are giving these to younger little guys :)

 

 

Most importantly, enjoy!



  







Two Ingredient Cookies!

These are by far the easiest cookies I have ever, ever made and they are soooo delicious!

We all get that cookie craving once in a while or, if you're like me...story of my life, every day. These are great healthy cookies I know your little nuggets will love! Not to mention these cookies are naturally gluten-free, vegan and sugar free. Unless, you decide to top them with a delicious topping...then that's your own deal ;)

 

 

 

 

Are you ready for this? Here we goooo!

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

2 large ripe bananas

1 cup uncooked quick oats (use gluten free oats ex: Bob's Red Mill quick oats to make these gluten free :))

1/4 cup of any topping you wish!

 

 

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 

2. Get your cookie sheet ready! Place parchment paper on cookie sheet, covering the whole sheet. (If you don't have parchment paper, it's okay to spray a non-stick sheet with cooking spray.)

 

 

3. In a mixing bowl, mash up your nanners! Thanks to my adorable little helper Avery up there:) Depending on how ripe your bananas are, you may need to cut into fourths for easier mashing.

 

4. Combine oats and mashed all together. (Add your toppings if you wish as well! The first batch, I put white chocolate chips and regular chocolate chips on top. Then the next batch I put craisins. Heaven! Topping ideas: Crushed Walnuts, Almond Slivers, Raisins, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, Granola.)

 

 

5. Place a teaspoon of each on the cookie sheet. Makes 16-17 cookies.

 

6. Bake for 15 minutes.

 

 

Most Importantly, Enjoy!

 

 



 



 

 

 



A Simple 'Thank you'

Today, I wanted to post something different than a recipe or something food related. I basically wanted to give a simple thanks to all of you who have supported my blog, viewed, messaged me about how inspiring it is so far, etc. Hence there are only 3 recipes, but there is more on the way! I promise, pinky promise. It's kind of funny and random how this all started... I literally was making scones one day and said to myself "You're going to make a blog. Ready....GO!" I mean what do I have to lose? Absolutely nothing.

It's been super fun coming up with ideas, finding recipes and modifying them to my liking. It's a great way for me to use my creative side and get outside of the box. This blog has helped me to get in touch with myself and find a hidden passion I never knew I had. 

Now, that's an awesome discovery. 

Many of you have asked, "What is Tate and Tot diaries?,  Where did you come up with that name?" Well, here's your answer.

Tate and Tot:

You remember the story, Jack and Jill? Well, I wanted to incorporate a modern version of that title. As of now, I am a nanny of a set of twins: girl and boy. I was just picturing Jack and Jill being a set of twins, curious little humans that explore everything they can. So, I wanted to make my own version: Tate being a girl, Tot being a boy. I love the word 'tot'. It's super cute and it just seemed fitting. Might be cheesy but I fell in love with it.  

In this blog, I want to be inspiring to mothers, nannies, or anyone looking for a tasty and healthy recipe.  This blog is mainly focusing on children's nutrition but, I want to reach out to everyone. It's true when they say, children are the future. Who knows, your child just may become the President of the United States one day, or an amazing athletic and go to the Olympics. You never know. I want to help feed their molding brains with healthy foods!

Their brains are developing so fast, almost too fast sometimes! They bring on new habits, their speech gets better, they start to comprehend life in general better. They learn new skills they never knew they had, test their capabilities. The world is their playground and it's literally at their fingertips, one monkey bar at a time.

All because of one thing: Nutrients. 

I believe that if you eat healthy, good food, your body will thank you and so will your brain. It's so important to pack nutrients into your child's daily diet as much as you can. Now, you see why I am putting spinach in juuust about everything ;) They don't have to know! "Honey, pancakes have always been green. Remember?" Takes a bite...Silence. Empty Plate. Mission Complete. One happy mama! You're welcome :)

I know there are a lot of busy parents that don't always get the chance to cook. You've had a long day at work, your boss is being a door knob, you get home and cooking is by far the last thing you're wanting to do. Trust me, I get it and we've all been there. So, in my blog I want to help provide recipes that you can make a large quantity of, that wont take up a lot of your time and that are super healthy and great for your little ones.

So, with all that being said...  I hope you follow my journey, join the adventure and let's be creative! Healthy kids are happy kids, which make happy parents.

Thank you. Thank you so much for following me, subscribing and being a loyal friend. Stay tuned because, this is just the beginning.

XOXO-Chels