Tag Archives: homemade

Mommy 101

DIY Easter Basket for the Kiddos + Giveaway

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easter

Last week I started thinking I need to “get on it” in regard to making Easter baskets for my boys. They are still pretty young and can’t really understand the concept of Easter or the bunny, egg hunt, etc…, BUT I need to get in the habit of planning and putting together things like Easter baskets, in advance, or else I’m subjected to what’s left when I make a last minute dash to the store! So, I started thinking about what to put in their “homemade” baskets and it can be a little more challenging when you’re assembling these for infants and toddlers because the typical Easter “fillers” of assorted candy, chocolates and peeps aren’t exactly something I want to give to my babes. Ok, so all that said, I teamed up with GILT to show you some 3 of my favorite picks for baby’s Easter basket!

birdpushtoyBird Push Toy by manny and simon exclusively for Gilt. I love this cute, friendly little eco-friendly bird that any tot would enjoy! Push toys are big for new walkers or “trying to be walkers,” the 100% recycled wood construction is durable and the soft color (made with non-toxic and ultra low odor paint) makes it a perfect addition to any Easter-themed basket. GILT: $32

magentic blocksFour Magnetic Cubes by Tegu. These magnetic blocks come in a fun pastel color palette and are sure to brighten up any basket. I must have a thing for the wooden toys because the set of 4 cubes are made up of FSC-Certified Honduran Hardwoods. A great gift item for any child ages 0 and up, its magic magnets will be sure to attract them to this toy instantly! GILT: $10, Original Retail: $15

fluffy bunny

Fluffy Buffy Bunny by Maileg. And what basket would be completely without a loveable plush toy?? This soft rabbit is adorable with its floppy ears and body. Any child would love to put their arms around this one and give the (Easter) bunny a BIG hug. GILT: $38

So there you have it a few of my favorite Easter basket musts for the infant/toddler set – girl or boy, available on Gilt! To purchase any of these to add to your Easter basket, use this link http://www.gilt.com/53weeks especially created for 53 Weeks to purchase the products…OR…GUESS WHAT?? You can win them right here on 53 Weeks, because I am giving all 3 items away to ONE lucky winner!

The “53 Weeks Easter Gilt Giveaway” runs April 1, 2014 until Tuesday, April 8, 2014, and that’s when the winner will be selected! It’s free to enter, just fill out the official entry form below, then LIKE AND leave a comment on this post sharing what some of your plans are for Easter or a DIY basket! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mommy 101

Homemade Honey Cough Syrup

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I decided to try and make a homemade honey cough syrup after seeing an insert with the recipe in the “Swag Bag” from the Biggest Baby Shower. Both my boys have been having on and off runny noses and Raef has had this cough that wakes him up when he sleeps, so I figured I’d give it a shot…you know when you get to the point where anything is worth a try!!! The good news is it’s pretty easy to make and he didn’t mind taking it! I’m still figuring out if it is really helping or not, but I thought I’d share the recipe with you. It can also be found at honey.com

Ingredients:

  • 1½ tablespoons – Zest of 2 lemons
  • ¼ cup – peeled, sliced ginger , or ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 1 cup – water
  • 1 cup – honey
  • ½ cup – lemon juiceDSCF8176 DSCF8177

Directions:

In a small saucepan, combine lemon zest, sliced ginger and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then strain through into a heat-proof measuring cup.  Rinse the saucepan out and pour in 1 cup of honey. On low heat, warm the honey, but do not allow it to boil. Add the strained lemon ginger water and the lemon juice. Stir the mixture until it combines to form a thick syrup. Pour into a clean jar with a lid. Note: This can be refrigerated for up to 2 months.

For children ages 1 to 5, use ½  to 1 teaspoon every 2 hours. For children ages 5 to 12, use 1 to 2 teaspoon every 2 hours. For children 12 and older and adults, use 1 to 2 tablespoons every 4 hours.

* Remember, honey is recommended for children after the age of one.

For Nurse Barb’s Honey Lemon Coughsicles Recipe, click here. Recipe courtesy of Nurse Practitioner Barbara Dehn, RN, MS, NP.

And — if you want more on honey, here’s a guide to the 16 health benefits of honey according to science, and it includes 2 delicious honey recipes.

Food

Holiday Treats: Homemade Apple Pie

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holidayapplepie

Pie Filling
3 – 4 Large Golden Delicious Apples (peel skin… cut into small pieces, dispose core and seeds)
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
4 oz apple sauce (use one cup of the 6 pack apple sauce)
2 tbsp flour
3 tbsp butter cut up into small pieces

In Medium bowl, mix everything together.

Pack of crust (2-pack) from refrigerated section in grocery store

Put crust in 9” pie pan and pour in pie filling
Put crust on top of pie filling and mesh edges together. Remove excess crust.
Use fork to create perfect lines around edges of pan
Put 3 – 5 small slits throughout top of pie crust

Place pie on baking sheet lined with foil. Bake on 350 degrees for 45 – 60 minutes or until the crust is brown. Remove and let cool 20-30 minutes.

This Homemade Apple Pie recipe comes courtesy of Chef Courtney

Food

Quinoa Ratatouille

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Homemade Baby Food Recipe

baby_ratatouille1

One of the few pre-packaged baby foods my little one eats on a consistent basis is Happy Family’s organic Amaranth Ratatouille. It’s slightly textured with grains of quinoa and filled with yummy vegetables. I decided to make something similar at home and it tastes even better than the one in the store. This homemade baby food quinoa ratatouille is filled with zucchini, eggplant, sweet peppers, squash and tomato, with the addition of quinoa.

If you haven’t jumped on the quinoa train yet, making it for your baby is a good start. It cooks quickly and is full of protein, fiber, iron, antioxidants and other good-for-you stuff. The tiny seed is small enough for baby to eat, which is why you find it in many of my recipes, and in the store brands as well. Did you know The Food and Agriculture Organization of the Nations named 2013 “The International Year of the Quinoa?” I just found that out.

Back to the ratatouille. This is the same dish featured in the movie by the same name, and the baby food version is yummy. I tried some, my husband tried some. Grandma would have eaten the whole bowl if we let her. It’s really flavorful and healthy too!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ medium onion, diced
  • 1 pinch garlic (powdered or fresh)
  • 1 pinch dried thyme leaves
  • 1 cup eggplant, diced
  • ½ cup green or red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup quinoa
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • Fresh basil and/or parsley (optional)
  • 1-2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme, eggplant, sweet pepper, zucchini, tomato, tomato paste, quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the quinoa has “sprouted” and the vegetables are tender. Add more broth if necessary during cooking.

Remove from the heat and stir in fresh herbs and cheese. Puree in a food processor until you reach the desired consistency, adding additional vegetable broth or water if needed.

REPOST from: Love and Duck Fat

For more great homemade baby food recipes from Love and Duck Fat visit http://loveandduckfat.com