A Little Bit Of Wine Never Hurt

Benefits of red wine

French paradox
The “French paradox” is the observation that the French experience low levels of coronary heart disease despite a high-saturated fat diet. Many nutritionists have speculated that the consumption of red wine as a prominent component to French culinary culture may explain this apparent paradox.

Physician Julie B. Damp reported, “There are multiple observational studies suggesting moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease, including lower risk of heart attacks.” Moderate means one 5-ounce glass for women per day and one to two 5-ounce glasses for men per day.

Other alcohol
Other sources of alcohol share some of the positive effects of red wine. According to registered dietician Amanda Bontempo, all sources of alcohol can increase the cardio-protective blood marker, HDL-cholesterol.

Furthermore, registered dietician Alison Massey suggested that the ethanol may be responsible for the benefits to counter atherosclerosis, — a condition characterized by a thickening of the artery wall.

Resveratrol
Resveratrol is found in red grape skins and appears to be the source of red wine’s health benefits. It may prevent fat accumulation and reduce insulin resistance, which lowers the risk of diabetes.

Resveratrol also prevents blood clotting and plaque formation in arteries while improving vascular function. Bontempo explained, “The bio-active chemicals found only in red wine are flavanoids, polyphenols and specifically resveratrol which act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants to prevent harmful cellular damage.”

Anti-cancer activity
But that’s not all resveratrol has done. Studies have shown this molecule can reduce tumor incidence by targeting different stages in cancer development.

“It may prove anti-carcinogenic by inhibiting certain enzymes, promoting cancer cell death, and preventing the development of blood vessels needed to feed a tumor,” Bontempo said. Interestingly, grapes grown in cool climates have higher concentrations of resveratrol.

Reservations
Keep in mind that you can get the same health benefits elsewhere. Flavonoids, for instance, are found in other foods (fruits and vegetables), cocoa and some juices. Grapes and red grape juice also have many of the same components as red wine.

People with high triglyceride levels — which is associated with heart disease and diabetes — should limit alcohol consumption because this can raise those levels even higher.

Wine also contains empty calories, which can lead to weight gain.

“Drinking greater amounts of alcohol is associated with negative health effects such as increased cancer risk, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart failure and addiction,” Damp said.

Damp suggested that some of the associated benefits of alcohol consumption may be, in part, related to healthy lifestyle choices — such as nutritious diets and physically active schedules — on the part of moderate consumers. One should never overlook physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight when trying to improve overall health.

 

 

Thanksgiving Menu

Collard & Brussels Sprout Salad

             

• 4 slice(s) (or up to 6 slices) thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 1/2 pound(s) collard greens, stems removed, cut into thin strips
• 12 ounce(s) Brussels sprouts, shaved or sliced paper-thin
• 1 cup(s) grated Parmesan
• Mustard Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Mustard Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup(s) sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon(s) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon(s) Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

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Directions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine collard greens, Brussels sprouts, Parmesan, and reserved bacon. Toss with mustard vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
3. To make the vinaigrette: Whisk together sherry vinegar, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste.

 

 

Sage Butter Roasted Turkey

Ingredients

• 2 lemons, sliced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 cup(s) kosher salt
• 1/2 cup(s) sugar
• 1 tablespoon(s) whole peppercorns
• 1 (12- to 15-pound) fresh turkey
• 1/2 stick(s) butter, cut into 8 slices
• 8 fresh sage leaves
• 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 3 carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 stalk(s) celery, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 onions, quartered
• Freshly ground pepper
• Gravy (recipe follows), if desired

Gravy

• Turkey drippings, in roasting pan
• 2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup(s) chicken broth
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoon(s) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh thyme leaves

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Directions

1. In a stockpot large enough to hold the turkey, over high heat, bring 2 cups water, lemon slices, salt, sugar, and peppercorns to a boil. Remove pot from heat and add 2 gallons ice water and lemon juice. Submerge the turkey, cover the pot, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
2. Remove the brined turkey and rinse under cold water. Transfer turkey to a wire rack, with paper towels placed underneath, to drain; dry the skin with paper towels.
3. Run your fingers under the turkey’s breast and thigh skin to loosen. Work butter slices and sage leaves under the skin. Dry the skin again with paper towels, then rub with oil.
4. Place carrots, celery, and onions in a shallow roasting pan; place turkey in the center. Sprinkle with pepper. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 2 hours before cooking.
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. If any liquid has collected in the roasting pan, remove it with a baster. Tuck the turkey wings underneath the bird and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Place the turkey in the oven. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F. Roast for 1 hour, then baste with pan juices. (If breast is browning too quickly, cover with foil.) Rotate the pan and continue to roast, basting turkey every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, 21/2 to 3 more hours.
6. Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving. Reserve drippings for gravy, if desired.
7. To make the gravy: Add flour to drippings in roasting pan and cook over medium heat, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the mixture turns a rich brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
8. Slowly add chicken broth and stir until gravy thickens, adding more broth if needed. Add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
9. Stir in butter until it melts. Add fresh thyme leaves, if desired.

 

Cornbread Dressing

Ingredients

• 3/4 stick(s) butter
• 3 cup(s) (about 2 large onions) chopped onions
• 2 cup(s) (about 6 stalks) chopped celery
• 3/4 teaspoon(s) kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
• 7 cup(s) day-old cornbread, broken into 1-inch cubes (see Cast-Iron Buttermilk Cornbread recipe)
• 2 tablespoon(s) minced fresh sage
• 2 cup(s) chicken or vegetable broth

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add onions, celery, salt, and pepper; cook until slightly softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, and add cornbread and sage. Mix well.
2. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add cornbread mixture. Add broth and stir to moisten. Dot with remaining butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake until brown and crispy on top, 40 to 50 minutes.

 

 

 

Citrus Cranberry Sauce

 

• 1 1/2 cup(s) sugar
• Juice and zest of 1/2 orange
• Juice and zest of 1/2 red grapefruit
• 1 pound(s) cranberries (frozen or fresh), rinsed

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Directions

1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil. Add fruit juices and zests, and return mixture to a boil. Add cranberries; reduce heat to medium and cook until cranberries pop, 10 to 12 minutes. Chill.

Skillet Green Beans

Ingredients

 

• 1 pound(s) green beans, ends trimmed
• 1 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) sesame oil

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron skillet, toss green beans with soy sauce and sesame oil. Roast, tossing midway through, until just crispy, 15 to 20 minutes.

 

 

 

Potato Gratin

Ingredients

 

• 2 tablespoon(s) butter
• 4 clove(s) (large) garlic, peeled
• 2 cup(s) milk
• 2 cup(s) heavy cream
• 2 teaspoon(s) kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 3 pound(s) (about 4 large potatoes) russet potatoes
• Freshly ground pepper
• 3 cup(s) shredded Gruyère

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Directions

1. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish or enamel-coated cast-iron skillet, then rub with 1 garlic clove. Discard garlic.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk, cream, salt, and remaining garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove garlic and discard.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, peel and rinse the potatoes. Pat dry with a paper towel, then cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
4. Overlap the potatoes in a circular pattern to cover the bottom of the dish. Top with 1/4 cup of the milk mixture, a few grinds of pepper, a sprinkle of salt, and 3/4 cup cheese. Repeat process (reserving 1/2 cup of the cheese) until layers are 1/2 inch from the top of the dish. Pour additional milk mixture up to top of potatoes (you may not need to use all of it). Top with the reserved cheese.
5. Place the dish on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until casserole is bubbling, cheese is brown, and a knife easily pierces the potatoes, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 to 12 minutes before serving.

4th Of July Dinner & Ideas

MAKE A REAL AMERICAN MEAL THIS 4TH OF JULY

(This can also be used for Father’s Day)

 

-Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Corn on the Cob-

Total Time : 1 hr 0 min
Prep : 35 min
Cook : 25 min
Makes : 4 servings

Ingredients
For the pork and corn:

1 tablespoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 small pork tenderloins (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
4 ears corn, husked

For the sauce:

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Kosher salt

Directions

Make the pork: Combine the paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the brown sugar, cumin, mustard powder, onion powder and garlic powder in a bowl. Rub the olive oil all over the pork, then coat with the spice rub. Wrap each tenderloin tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 to 6 hours.

Make the sauce: Combine the vinegar, 1/2 cup water, the brown sugar, ketchup, red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves; remove from the heat.

Remove the pork from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before grilling. Preheat a grill to medium high. Cook the pork, turning occasionally, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 140 degrees F to 145 degrees F, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, brush the corn with olive oil; grill, turning, until marked, about 5 minutes. Slice the pork and drizzle with the sauce. Serve with the corn.

Per serving: Calories 442; Fat 11 g (Saturated 3 g); Cholesterol 111 mg; Sodium 1,143 mg; Carbohydrate 44 g; Fiber 7 g; Protein 41 g

 

-PAIR THIS WITH MACARONI SALAD-

Total Time : 2 hr 35 min
Prep : 15 min
Inactive : 2 hr 0 min
Cook  : 20 min
Makes : 4 to 6 servings

 

Ingredients

4 eggs
1 pound large elbow macaroni
4 ounces ham steak, finely chopped
2 stalks chopped celery, including leaves
1 large shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Dressing:

2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos, drained
3 tablespoons sweet pickled relish
Kosher salt and pepper

Directions

To make the hard-boiled eggs: Add the eggs to a medium-sized saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring up to a boil over medium heat. Cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 14 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Peel the eggs and chop. Reserve.

While the eggs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and add the macaroni. Cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.

In a large serving bowl, combine the eggs, ham steak, celery, shallots and lemon juice Add the macaroni and stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickled relish, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the dressing to the macaroni and toss to coat. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Cover and chill for 2 hours for the flavors to meld.

 

-DESERT-

  Sweet and Tangy Summer Patriot Pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:
2 – 9″ round pie crusts
1 tsp. fresh orange zest
4 c. rhubarb, diced bite size
3 C. fresh strawberries or raspberries
1 1/2 C. sugar
6 tbsp. quick tapioca
1 tbsp. whole milk

 

  Directions : 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place one of the two crusts in your pie tin.

2. In a separate bowl, using a spoon, gently toss together the rhubarb, berries, zest, sugar and tapioca. Pour into bottom crust.

3. Place the second crust on a floured surface and, using a star-shaped cookie cutter (you can use all one size or a variety of star sizes), cut out enough star shapes to make a top crust.

4. Decoratively arrange your cut-out stars into a top crust, covering most of the top of the pie but leaving a bit of space for air to escape. When putting one pastry star on top of another, tap them lightly so they’ll adhere together.

5. Brush the top with the milk, and if you wish sprinkle a little more sugar on it so when the crust is done, it will shine like sparklers.

6. Bake in a pre-heated 400-degree oven for 10 minutes, and then turn down the heat to 350 for another 30 to 35 minutes.

An Easier Alternative: If you’re not fond of two-crust pies, use only the bottom crust and make a brown-sugar crumble topping instead.

 

 

 

 

-IDEAS, GAMES & MORE-

Color Themed Picnic. Even if you don’t want to go all-out with the planning, you can plan a fun, themed picnic easily. Just assign a color for everyone to wear, whether it be all white, all red, black and white, etc. (including picnic blankets of the assigned color completes the look). The full gazebo in the photo above looks great, but this simple theme is also fun for a more casual picnic.

Beach Picnic. Live close to a great beach? Then plan an afternoon of great food and playing in the water. Bring a volleyball and nets and set up teams for beach volley. Or bring boogie boards and splash in the waves. Or plan a sand-castle building contest, and break your guests up into teams. The beach is an entire playground! So the sky’s the limit when it comes to the picnic games you can play.

Nature Lovers’ Picnic. This is a really fun picnic theme for kids! Have everybody dress is safari themed clothing, and go on a nature tour around your picnic site. Watch birds and animals, capture bugs and butterflies, and catalog plants and flowers. Just make sure everyone has good shoes on, and bring along a pair of binoculars. This picnic game is both fun and educational. You can even set up a “nature scavenger hunt” if you want to!

 

Victorian Picnic. If you’ve ever read an old Victorian novel, you know that picnics arrived at the height of their popularity during Queen Victoria’s reign. Want to go all out? Plan a Victorian picnic. Ask everyone to dress in Victorian costume, and choose foods like lobster tails, cold poached chicken, etc., for the main meal. Finish up with a few bottles of cold champagne served with a fresh fruit and custard trifle and a game of croquet. Definitely a picnic theme for bigger budgets!

Italian Picnic. Now, it doesn’t matter what you wear to this, or what picnic games you play. It’s all about the food! Check out our Italian picnic page for the perfect Italian picnic menu (coming soon!).

Spanish Picnic. Another picnic theme idea that’s all about the food. Serve up big pitchers of sangria with plates of jamón and cheese, pa amb tomaquet (crusty bread rubbed with tomatoes and olive oil), olives, green salads, and cold tapas. Serve it all with plenty of gazpacho and fresh fruit.

Scavenger Hunt Picnic. A scavenger hunt is a natural choice for a picnic game. Seperate your guests into teams, have them hunt for things they’ll find at your picnic spot, and set aside a prize –say, a pie to take home– to the winning team.

Christmas in July Picnic : Who says you have to wait until December to celebrate Christmas? Have your guests wear red and green and set up a secret Santa exchange between your guests. Also have each person bring a decoration for your summer Christmas tree (which can just be any tree at your picnic site). Don’t forget to bring Christmas cookies and pass around chilled glasses of spiced (and for the adults, spiked) cider!

 

 

Food of the day !

This stuff is absolutely amazing! Not to mention affordable. It can be used as a salad topping, topping for baked chicken or eaten by itself. <—- I recommend the last one. I buy this every time I go to Publix or Walmart. Publix tends to have it in stock more often than Walmart. So, I'd advice going there.

Cute Cakes For Tots!

This would be cute for a little girls 9th  birthday! With a princess theme and tiara’s every where! Everyone could dress up as princess at the party. A princess ball!

I love, love, love ,love , love penguins ! ❤  It can be used for boys or girls. Not to mention you can have a winter theme birthday party.

 

 

This is pretty orignal. A great idea is have your child dress up as her favorite disney channel princess!

 

 

Coming from a big gamers perspective, This cake is amazing. Cake could be served at 2:30pm. This could be followed by video games at 3:00pm.

This is perfect for those girly girls. Idea : Each girl at the party could get a My Little Pony.

 

This one is much similiar to the one above! Idea : Each girl at the party could be given a barbie doll. Don’t forget the pink balloons!

 

 

 

This is something a little more unique. Not to mention pricey! If your looking for something to add a little pop of color to your darling daughters birthday party this would be perfect!

 

 

This is more orignal, and colorful. I love all of the colors put together. Idea : Have gift bags filled with plastic, child safe tool sets.

 

 

This is perfect for your child’s 1st birthday party! Not to mention when you want something thats not over the top. Idea : Hand out each guest a diaper. (The size your little one wears) Have each guest write thier name and a piece of advice for the future. One your child’s 18th birthday hand them to your child.

 

These are my favorites! Some are as smple as cutting butter. Although some are alot more unique.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPE: Delightful Butternut Squash Pasta with Sage and Caramelized Onions

This sound absolutely yummmmy !

Food Of The Day !

Okay, we all know that we get so busy some times. when it comes to lunch and dinner we don’t have time for hours if cooking. This is MY recipe for fast and easy 10 minute pizzas! Enjoy (:

Note : I USED A TOASTER OVEN

Ingredients :
English muffins
Prego original spaghetti sauce
1 White Onion (one cup finely chopped)
1 Bell Pepper (one cup finely chopped)
1 tomato (Half a cup small chopped)
2 Cups of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 Cups Of mild Cheddar Cheese
1 Pack of Armour Pepperoni (small or large slices)

First half the English muffins down the middle with a knife . Lay them on a baking sheet about an inch apart.

Spread spaghetti sauce over English muffins. I used 2 tablespoons of sauce for each muffin.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese

Add bell pepper , onion , tomato and/or any other veggie you desire.

Then sprinkle the mild cheddar cheese

Last add the pepperoni’s and bake for 10 minutes on 350.

*cooking time may vary depending on how hot your oven or toaster oven gets*

Food Of The Day !

Food of the day !
Tostitos pineapple peach salsa is great with slightly toasted tortilla chips . With a mix between the sweetness of pineapples and peaches and spiciness of salsa this dip is the perfect mixture !

Wash it down with some Mt. Dew or tea . 😛

15 Activities For Toddlers

 

 

Pudding Painting :  Toddlers are famous for getting into everything. It seems like there’s always cleaning up to do when there’s a toddler around. But if you can put up with a temporary mess we have a stellar artistic project to enjoy with your tot.

Let your toddler try their hand at finger painting, only substituting instant pudding for finger paints. Ideally, you will cover the art space in paper for obvious reasons. You can use the same materials, such as plain paper, construction paper, unused paint brushes, and ratchet up the fun by using cake sprinkles. I definitely suggest putting your kid in “play clothes” for this one… a mess is guaranteed, but half the fun is that the kids can actually eat the “paint.”

 

Finger Puppets

Spend some quality time with your toddler making finger puppets. Locate printable templates online or you make them from scratch. If making finger puppets from scratch, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Construction paper, paper bags, white paper or felt.
• Glue and/or tape
• Markers, colored pens, or other markables
• Add-ons, such as pipe cleaner, plastic eyes, fabrics, cotton, glitter, etc.

Using colored construction paper, trace the outside of your toddler’s finger to create the correct size for your finger puppet. At the base of the finger silhouette, draw two 3/4″ lines at a 90 degree angle to the finger. These will be taped in the shape of a ring so your puppet stays on your little one’s finger.

Now comes the fun part! You and your toddler can draw your characters on the face of the finger silhouette. Add color with additional paper, markers or pipe cleaners. Make a finger puppet family or make your favorite cartoon characters. The sky is the limit with this project, so get creative!

 

 

Grocery Shopping Game

Create a grocery list of items needed for your household. Hold up your carton of milk and ask your little shopper if you need more milk. Do the same for other favorite foods for which your toddler is emotionally attached. Once the list is created, head off to the local grocery.

Make sure to go through the fruit and vegetable isle and say the names of the most common produce. Have your toddler repeat the words after you. While at the grocery store, let the toddler choose a fruit and/or vegetable. Use their choice as a dish in your next meal.

 

Variations:
Take a shopping trip to the hardware store or a convenience store.

 

 

Great Gardening 

This springtime activity involves planting garden seeds in flowerpots. Or for those with an outdoor garden, designate a plot for your child. Choose the variety of seeds you wish to plant with your child. You’ll find an assortment of vegetables to be best. After the seeds are planted, let your toddler have the daily routine of watering the flower pot. You’ll soon be enjoying eating vegetables with your child!

 

Variations:
The activity can be started other times of the year, but the parent will need a bit more of a green thumb. The flower pot should be brought indoors when there is a danger of frost or freezing.

 

 

Edible play dough

Creating things out of a blob of play dough is a great way for toddlers to use their imaginations and make something all by themselves. An even better idea (we think!) is to make a play dough that is edible… how fun!

The recipe for this edible peanut butter play dough is:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
1 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar

Make sure to play with your toddler on this activity. Make funny animal faces or make mommy and daddy replicas. Anyway you do it, it’ll be a yummy and fun activity!

 

 

Sand Cereal Artist

You’ll need empty glass baby food jars, Fruit Loops cereal, closeable baggies and a piece of paper.

Start by having your toddler separate the colors of fruit loops. Once separated, put them into separate bags. Have your toddler crush the cereal until it makes dust.

 

Next, take the different colors of “sand” and pour into the empty baby food jars using the piece of paper as a funnel.

We love this activity because it’s safer than using sand… it doesn’t matter if your toddler puts this “sand” in their mouths!

 

 

Find The Treasure

Kids love the idea of hidden or buried treasure. Let’s face it, finding something valuable by searching and digging is something even I enjoy! Here is a great activity for your little pirate!

For this treasure-finding activity, you’ll need a large quantity of some sort of small, dense object… we suggest rice, beans, pasta or Cheerios. You’ll need to fill a big container with any of these. Within the container, put various prizes, toys, candy, stickers or something similar. Then, have your kid go on a “treasure hunt” to find these objects. They will love the surprise of finding these treats!

 

 

Creating A Ziiiippiinn Zoo

It’s a jungle In here! Animals are a favorite of many toddlers. What kid doesn’t like zoos, animal shows and stuffed animals? Kids also love learning about animals. Here’s a great project to help do just that.

You’ll first need a branch from a tree. Once you have a branch of your desired size, search for pictures of animals in magazines, newspapers or online. Print your animal pictures and cut them out. Next, tape the pictures onto the branch, or leaves, if there are any.

 

Display the decorated branch where it is visible to guests. Have your toddler show off their “jungle” and name the animals that live there. This will definitely be a project for your toddler to be proud of!

 

 

Bubbleball

The game is played by substituting bubbles for basketballs. The object is to try and get your bubble over the goal line, which can be a couple strips of masking tape a few feet apart or at both ends of a room.

The children are divided into two groups. Each one is given a container of bubbles with bubble blower. One child blows the bubble’s while the teammates fan them with a piece of cardboard. All teams work towards their respective goal. Be sure to take turns, so that each child gets to take a turn at blowing bubbles. If the bubble bursts, the team has to start over again.

 

 

Art Of Veggies

Gather an assortment of colored vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot sticks, broccoli, celery and red pepper. Prepare a space for your toddler to create pictures or faces with the vegetables. After they’re done, take a picture of the finished project.

Once completed, the ‘vegetable artwork’ is a source of healthy snacks for your little one.

 

 

Story Time In A Can

Reading to a toddler exercises their imagination, introduces them to reading and allows for quality time spent with mom or dad. This toddler activity is a fun alternative to reading from a paper book. Here we show you how you can make a book using stackable cans!
For this project, you’ll need four or five cans of different diameters, so they’re able to stack into one another. You can start with a soda can, then a soup can and so on. You’ll also need a book (which can be cut up) or supplies to create your own “book.”

 

If using a book, simply cut out pages and paste them onto the can. Preferably, you would keep the text on the pages, so you’re still getting reading practice. Start pasting the pages onto the cans, starting with the smallest can first. You can add more cans if necessary, but we suggest four or five.

If you’re creating your own story, use construction paper, clip art, crayons, colored pencils, stickers or other art supplies. Have your toddler help you come up with the story. Be careful with sharp edges on the cans. We suggest using a safe edge can opener that eliminates these sharp edges.

Once completed, you can tell your toddler a story using your story book cans. Or they can return the favor and tell you a story. Once practiced up, your toddler can take the show on the road and entertain friends and family!

 

 

Yardwork

As with most toddler activities, the toddler will enjoy themselves most when the parent becomes animated and talks excitedly. Use these skills and reinvent some basic yard tasks. Your little yard worker will love helping you.

Ask your toddler if weeds are good or bad. When they say bad, yank the weed and throw it over your shoulder! Ask if flowers are good or bad. When they say good, pet the flower and say ‘good flower’ with a big smile. Get creative and reinvent other yard tasks as well. Where does this branch go? In the trash!

So when does the fun end? If your toddler’s attention begins to wander, it’s time to stop.

 

 

Friendly Ghost

A white sheet is placed over mommy and daddy and your little ghost buster is introduced to their first friendly ghost. Mom or dad hams it up by dancing, singing and delivering the toddler their favorite treats!

Once mommy or daddy is through with their ‘ghostly’ performance, it’s time for the toddler to take center stage. Let them wear the bed sheet and scare the parents!

 

 

Ice-Cream Arts

An ice cream cone is decorated with chocolate, candy sprinkles or other edible decorations. Once the cone dries, the cone is filled with candies.

You’ll need ice cream cones (traditional or wafer), melt-able chocolate and edible sprinkles. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Dip the tops of the cones in the chocolate. Immediately apply the edible decorations to the cone. Place the cones in the refrigerator until the chocolate has cooled and hardened. Once the cones have cooled, fill the cones with small candies. We suggest packaged candies of different lengths. Once the cone is filled, wrap the top with party wrapping or saran wrap and have your toddler present as a gift or party favor.

 

 

Mirror, Mirror!

The toddler gets a child-proof mirrors and parents can use glass mirrors for this activity. Show your tot their reflection, reflections of their toys or reflections of mommy and daddy. Making plenty of facial expressions will help you get your toddler’s attention.

 

 

 

 

Food Of The Day !

Nancy petite quiche

16 Swiss and bacon !
16 Swiss and spinach !

These are absolutely amazing .
You MUST
Try them . Their a little pricey but perfect for baby showers , brunches and tea party’s . Although I just eat them for lunch with an almond nut salad !(: