my favorite things {twenty-twelve}... for kids

When it comes to buying gifts for my kids, I tend to go slightly away from mainstream toys. I think of things that they will really like which means it isn't always found in the ToysRUs flier. Gifts for them don't necessarily have to come in the form of toys either. Things for their room, practical things and books are great choices as well. Seek out their interests and things that excite them and go from there.

Here are some great 2012 gifts I adore for kids...

1. Hot Hugs Hottie stuffed animals {I love love this little lamb!}. A minute in the microwave, and the removable tummy of natural grain will give lasting warmth and release the subtle fragrance of pure lavender essential oil. With a new friend so hot and huggable, your little one will never want to put it down. Price $25.

2. Kindle Fire with Fisher Price Kid-Tough Apptivity Case. Unlimited access to books, games, apps and movies. Vibrant color on the 7" LCD screen and built-in WiFi. The case will protect the tablet and extend it's life when in younger hands. Price around $140. (Right now on Amazon, the Kindle Fire is $25 off and the case was free too when you put 'FIREMOMS' in the promo code).

3. Discoveroo Bright Fruit Music Instrument. The easy, fun-looking shapes and textures of this adorable music kit is a big hit with the little ones. Apple xylophone, lemon maraca, lime and melon castanets and pear guiro come packaged in a handy wooden crate for easy storage. Made of plantation tea wood and ply. Price $40.

4. Lego Friends City Park Cafe. Build a hip hangout for the LEGO® Friends with a side of fresh-baked fun! The City Park Café is the coolest place to hang out in Heartlake City, where the Friends meet for sweet treats and cold shakes in the sun! Price $30.

5. The North Face boys Vestamatic Triclimate Jacket. Keep boys warm while they build blue ribbon kickers in this hyper-versatile, four-in-one snowsports jacket. With four ways to sports this ski/snowboard dynamo, this jacket/vest combo creates a super versatile barrier for winter. Price $185. (fyi...We saw this coat at a North Face outlet for a fraction of this price).

6. The Classic Green Bean Bag. What kid should be without a comfy bean bag in their room? The Classic Bean Bag has been everyone's favorite chair for over 40 years! Updated with bright solids and fashion forward prints. Trendy and comfortable seating that's great for all ages. Price $30.

7. National Geographic magazine for kids. Give a child a new way to explore the world. Two different magazines specifically for ages 3-6 and 6-14. Price $15.

8. Homemade Playdough. Not every gift you get a kid has to be bought. Why not make something they will enjoy for a long time and at a very low cost? This is an easy, step-by-step way to make your own playdough with easy ways to store and package it. Price... super cheap!

9. CAKE Stitches little girl's half apron. This is my dear friends' Etsy store full of her cute sewing creations for kids (boys too!). I am loving the little girl's strawberry half apron. The ruffle and waistband are in a coordinating red and white polka dot. The apron attaches with velcro at the right side of the waistline, camouflaged by a layered matching flower. Check out all the pics and imagine your little one in it! Truly encourages independence and role play. Price $18.

10. Melissa and Doug shopping cart. To market, to market...Take your shopping list and your teddy bear and get ready to shop! Our durable metal shopping cart looks just like those in real stores! Sturdy metal construction includes pivoting front wheels and a folding seat so your child and their favorite companion can navigate the aisles in style! Price $37.

11. Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids. If you have the adult version, you know this is going to be incredible for kids. Devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child's heart. Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives. Price $11.

What are some of your all-time favorite kids' gifts?

For my favorite {for him} gifts go here.

Whole Grain and Flax Waffles

I am always on the hunt for a healthy, whole grain breakfast recipe that isn't too dense and dry.

One that my kids will have no clue is healthy for them too. I found this recipe in this month's Self magazine and did a little adapting to my likes. My kids and husband gobbled them down.

Hope you enjoy them too!

Whole Grain & Flax Waffles

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1 T. ground flax seed
1/4 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t. salt
1 egg, separated
3/4-1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup of mashed banana
1 T oil (preferably coconut oil, melted)

Directions:
1. Blend oats in a blender until very fine.

2. Combine oats, flour, flax seed and spices in a bowl.

3. In a second bowl, beat egg white until stiff peaks form.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, banana, oil and egg yolk until well combined then stir into floured mixture.

5. Gently fold egg whites into the final mixture as well.

6. Pour into waffle iron and cook for 3-4 minutes.

7. Add fresh berries, pure maple syrup, slivered almonds, Greek yogurt... the possibilities are endless!!!

Makes about 4 round waffles.

Enjoy!

8 Tips for Getting Your Kids to Eat Healthy

Photo Credie: Daniel Holland

I get emails quite often from moms who are trying to feed their picky eaters a healthier diet. This topic is something that is near and dear to my heart. As blogged about before (here, here, and here), my journey to health began mostly because I had a "sick" kid. I adamantly resolved to find the answers to get my little boy healthy again. After hours of research and stack fulls of books from the library, I feel God gave me some great answers... mostly through a clean environment, clean food and good supplements.

I am passionate about helping people and especially kids eat healthy diets. Just today while on a field trip with my son and about 6,000 other elementary kids from around our city, I got a peek into what foods parents are feeding their kids... and to be honest, it was pretty gross. Something really needs to be done and maybe the handful of people that read my blog can help start that movement toward feeding our own kids a healthier diet.

(I'm not perfect. My kids want Doritos and other unhealthy goodies that are
marketed to kids just like any kid does. Sometimes I have
given in. So don't assume I'm perfect 100% of the time. But the majority
of the time, we really try and eat clean at home.)

So if you have a child that is picky... or one that eats mostly junk or getting healthy foods in them is a challenge, here are a few bits of advice.

1. Go easy on 'em... please. Nothing will un-motivate a child like a tyrant-like parent, pushing them to eat foods that they are not use to. Be positive. Smile when you are introducing new foods. If they aren't interested the first few times, don't give up and don't let them know if you're frustrated.

2. Practice patience. Introduce new healthy foods one at a time. It will take some time... usually a lot of time. Be patient, and again, don't give up.

3. Make it a fun, new adventure for them. My kids love to pick out a fruit or veggie of their own. Take them shopping with you. Give them their own basket or cart and let them fill it up with things they would like to try or what they know they like. Trust me, this works!

4. Turn on the food charm. Eating clean and healthy does not equate with being bland and yucky. Seriously. Steam broccoli just at the peak of softness, add a tad of olive oil or butter and a little salt. Put it in a cute kid bowl. Just don't make it look boring. This goes a long way with kids.

5. Lead by example!! This is most important. If they see you eating what you are serving, they know it's safe and good. Talk about the flavors, how you cooked it, where it came from, etc... basically talk about what you are eating. Kids will not just magically eat healthy when they don't see you eating it as well.

6. Be upfront with what certain foods do in the body. I tell my kids all the time about the food they are eating. "Those black beans have tons of fiber and protein that will make your belly feel good and give you a lot of energy". Or sometimes it may go this way, "That pop has a ton of sugar which isn't good for your teeth and can make you feel lousy later". Some may think this isn't right, but I want my kids to know what they eat and how it directly affects how they feel and their overall health. When given this information, children really do process it and over time it begins to stick!

7. Don't throw in the towel. It will take time, this adventure. There will be days you want to throw in the towel, but I encourage you to stay strong. For the health of your kids, if anything. To me, that's so important. I want my boys to grow up healthy and strong. Not sick and tired and depressed. I want the best for them in every way possible.

8. Start early. If you are reading this and have little ones, infants and toddlers, please start now on a healthy journey. Don't wait until they are school age, it gets too hard then. They can still change, but introducing the healthiest foods when they are little will only help to guarantee they will prefer those over unhealthy choices later.

Here are some resources that have helped me.

Deceitfully Delicious. Great book on deceitfully adding colorful veggies to everday dishes ~ your kids will never know!

The Sneaky Chef. Over 75 recipes that ingeniously disguise the most important superfoods inside kids’ favorite meals.

Healthy Cooking for Your Kids. Beautifully illustrated and easy to make meals your kids will love.

The Cleaner Plate Club. Offers a friendly, non-judgmental, and often humorous guide to feeding kids seasonally, healthfully, and without fuss.

Enjoy this journey. Once you get over those initial hurdles, it really begins to get fun.
Keep visiting this blog for kid-approved recipes and know there is always
encouragement here for you!