Our Latest Creations . . .

My boys' choice of movies last weekend during the rainy days were Peter Pan and Robin Hood that we had rented from the library.

They decided they wanted hats, and asked me to make them for them. I love that they just assume I can make anything, and I am so thankful when I can follow through.

I found a basic hat tutorial online, and then we played around with it to get it just right. Note the "sticking out part" that Kaden added to his hat. (very important) Kaden is Robin Hood.

Will is Peter Pan.

We've played a little Rock Band around here (who needs an X Box when you can do it like this?)

The boys wanted to make "pirate ships" out of tortillas. It was a yummy crunchy snack after we baked them in the oven!

I cooked a double batch of granola this week (we already ate 1/2 the bag).

And today I tried a double batch of Super Power Muffins (that I found on the comment section of Money Saving Mom's blog.

Here's my version:

Super Power Muffins:

3/4 cup brown sugar (I don’t pack it!)

3/4 cup Splenda

1 cup natural peanut butter

2 small or 1 large banana

1 cup of apple sauce or carrot puree

2 eggs

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients well and set aside. Blend everything else and then add in dry ingredients. Spray muffin tray. Bake for 15-18 min. Makes 24.

These were super!!!

Baking and Cooking Day

I don't normally have to set aside certain days for big baking and cooking because thanks to my simple life I have time to make whatever I need for that day. It sure is nice though to make a few things at the same time once in awhile since your kitchen is already dirty.

Yesterday I made 3 big batches of things. That's about my limit!

First I made a double batch of pumkin banana muffins adapted from this blog that I found through Money Saving Mom. I made so many changes I'll just type out the whole recipe.

1 c. applesauce
1 c. splenda

1 c. honey
4 eggs
1/3 c. water
3 ripe bananas
1 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. cinammon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. allspice

1/8 tsp. cloves
2 c. white flour
2 c. whole wheat flour

Mix and bake in 350 degree oven.

Next I made a double batch of High Fiber Oatmeal Banana Waffles to put in the freezer. I changed this recipe up so much it's not even similar enough to share it's original source.

2 bananas (mashed)
1 1/4 cups oats (or oat bran)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup flax seed (ground)
2 cups skim or non-fat dry milk (reconstituted)

2 tablespoons applesauce

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon baking powder

Mix and prepare in waffle maker.

I was worried that I would have to stand there FOREVER waiting of waffles to cook, but it worked great as I was able to work on other in between cooking.

Third I cooked up a bunch of chicken on the George Forman grill that were used for our paninis last night, and then frozen for upcoming chicken pizza and quessadillas. For casseroles it's cheaper to boil a whole chicken or chicken quarters and debone, but certain recipes just call for that grilled chicken taste.

I like having things ready just to grab for those days I'm feeling a little tired!