I am a huge fan of Catherine McCord.  Her Instagram feed makes me drool daily.  She creates amazing, healthy recipes for kids (and adults!) using simple ingredients.  A few weeks ago, she was on The Chew and explained that her kids have never had the same lunch twice! 

This cookbook focuses on lunch and snack ideas, which the twins have loved.  They like to flip through and look at the photos to figure out what to make next.  How cool is it that they are excited to try new recipes?!

 

This easy PB&J recipe was a big hit.  Olivia likes her peanut butter sammies "Elvis style" and the other two ladies like theirs normal.  By toasting it up in the waffle maker, everyone can have their favorite sandwiches in a snap.  

We've tried over ten recipes in the last few weeks and we have so many favorites.  At the top of my list are the homemade granola bars.  They were so simple and I love knowing that there aren't any crazy extra ingredients in them.  We made them with strawberries the first time around and they reminded me of old school strawberry Pop tarts.

Catherine was nice enough to let the Stonyfield YoGetters share a recipe from the book!  For more great lunch ideas, you're going to have to enter the contest!

Whole Grain Granola Fruit Bars

• 1.5 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1.5 cups quick cooking oats (or rolled oats)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 sticks of unsalted butter, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons of cold water
• 3/4 cup fruit preserves (we went through a small jar)

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a food processor, combine flour, oats, brown sugar and salt.  Pulse for 30-45 seconds.
3. Add butter and water.  Pulse until dough holds together when pressed.
4. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.  Line with parchment paper and spray with cooking oil.
5. Divide dough in half and press half onto the pan, using a spatula.
6. Spread the preserves on top of dough.  
7. Press the remaining dough on top.
8. Bake 45 minutes, or until brown.  Ours took about an hour.
9. Cut into bars.  Makes around 12-16 bars, depending cut.

*These can be stored at room temperature.  We put them in baggies, but they barely lasted 3 days.

Other great recipes inside:

• Fruit Leather
• Whole-wheat crackers
• Honey Cinnamon roasted chickpeas (So addicting!)
• Eggplant burgers
• Veg-wee dip (made with yogurt!)

This cookbook is a must for any family who cooks!

Enter the rafflecopter below to win: a copy of Weelicious Lunches and a packet of coupons for free Stonyfield products!


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What creative lunch ideas do you have? 

Quick and easy ABC soup

Sorry I've been a bit MIA lately!  It's been kind of crazy around here.   The twins have started some new activities (playgroup, gymnastics) and I feel like we are running around non-stop.  I like keeping them busy, otherwise we get too stir crazy!  Gabby is also walking now....eek!

I have my first blogging conference next week, which I have been preparing for.  Cannot wait to meet some new people and do some networking for this little old blog I have here!

Also, we've all been sick!  I'm not sure if it's just a bug going around or something stemming from our allergies.  It hasn't been fun! I can't even wear my contacts anymore.

When you aren't feeling well, there is nothing better than a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup.  Growing up, I always had Mrs. Grass' soup.  How can you not love a soup that gives you that fun little broth nugget to toss in?

For some reason, the girls don't really like canned or boxed soup.  I guess it's good they like my cooking!  This time of year, I make sure to whip up a batch or two of soup to put in the freezer.

Our new favorite?  Chicken ABC soup.  Yummy and they are learning while they slurp.

Best part?  Super quick and easy!

Here's what you need:

• 1/2 lb of chicken tenderloins (or 1 large chicken breast)
• 1 box of chicken broth- 4 cups
• 1 cup of ABC noodles (or 1.5 cups egg noodles)
  
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/4 cup onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced

Let's make some soup!

1. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a soup pot. Add veggies to a large soup pot and cook until tender (3-5 minutes).
2. Add entire box of stock and noodles.  Bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add chicken tenders whole.  I like to poach them in the liquid to cook, then shred later.  You can chop beforehand, also.
4. Cook 15-20 minutes! 

I like to freeze in 1 cup portions for when needed!  Yes, it takes a bit longer than just opening up a can of soup, but it tastes 100 times better!

What is your favorite soup recipe?

Mmmm Monday: Pizza-dillas

This recipe is a new creation in our household over the past week.  It was actually Olivia who came up with it (sort of...) when she wanted a pizza and a quesadilla.  I am sure this has been done before, but it's a new idea to us!

I love having quick and easy meals for the girls that are actually healthy as well.  This takes about 5 minutes to make!  Serve with a side of fruits or veggies and you are all set!

Ingredients

• Whole Wheat Pita
• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Your favorite pizza toppings

Step One: Slice the pita in half.  It can be a pain, it doesn't have to be perfect!

Step Two: Add sauce, favorite toppings and cheese.  This is a fun way to have the kids help in the kitchen too!

Step Three: Throw it on the Foreman grill.  I spray the top with Pam for extra crunch.

 

Step Four: Voila!  It's done and ready to eat.  I just cut mine with some kitchen sheers.

I am thinking of making actual quesadillas with this method as well.  I love the crunch that you get with the pita. 

What is your go-to kids meal?