Extra Calcium

I am a lucky mom. I have a child who has such a wide palate that we can honestly say "If it's food, he likes it." Sure he has his favorites, and even his few things that he doesn't truly care for, but for the most part I never see meal time as a struggle. Now there was a time though when he was about 13 months old, we did have a small conundrum on our hands; but in the scheme of things, and compared to other parents dealing with picky eaters, I know it was on a very small scale.

You see, as soon as Alex could drink whole milk, and we could finally stop buying those pricey cans of formula, he wanted no part of it! The only way he would drink milk was in is bottle, warmed up, the same as he enjoyed his formula. Well, by this time, he was down to only 1 bottle per day, right before bed. I remember feeling so helpless because I could not get him to drink it any other way, any other time of day. I spoke to my doctor and she suggested a couple things. One, he's only a little over 1, so if he still wants a bottle, wait a little while to wean him. So we did. My child took that bedtime bottle until he was 15 months old, and then one night quit cold turkey! Two, she suggested flavoring it to help ease him into drinking it from a cup. She said to try a powdered mix that contained extra vitamins and minerals. I must have had a look of horror on my face upon this suggestion because she said "Look, I know as a parent you don't expect me to tell you that, but sometimes parents make it so hard on themselves, and if putting a little flavoring, that does have some nutritional value, into his milk makes your day a little easier, and does indeed result in him drinking it, I say go for it." So that's exactly what we did. For those few months until he was weaned, the milk he drank through the day was vanilla flavored, and I was okay with that. He was getting the milk he needed and I wasn't in tears during lunch anymore. Then when the day came when the bottles were a thing of the past, and he was used to drinking it, and even enjoying it, the flavoring became not so necessary.

But during this time I also made sure he was getting calcium in other ways too, which to this day I still to, even though he will happily sit down and drink a glass of milk...heck, he will even ask for it! He takes 6 vitamins per day, a multivitamin, one with extra immunity and one with extra calcium. And he is the kid that loves cheese and yogurt. Not likes. Loves! And I know there are many of  parents out there simply trying to get your kids to eat ____. Fill in the blank. But for those that would finish that sentence with calcium or dairy, I've got the perfect treat for you! It's 2 ingredients, and one of those is yogurt! These are super fun, and the kids can even help make them. They make a great mini dessert or even an after school snack. And with all the yogurt/gelatin flavors the combinations are endless.

While I am very lucky to have the child who pretty much eats anything and everything, I do sympathize with those out there who aren't so lucky and hope this helps even just one make dinner time a little easier.

Strawberry Yogurt Bites From JELL-O

3 (6 oz) containers strawberry yogurt

1 (0.3 oz) package strawberry gelatin

Fresh strawberries, optional

Line muffin tin with paper liners. (Mine made 10 large) Mix yogurt and dry gelatin mix in microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave 2-3 minutes more until gelatin completely dissolved, stirring after each minute. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin tin. Chill for at least an hour to set. Top with fresh berries. Peel from paper and serve.

*NOTE* This can easily be made with light yogurt and sugar free gelatin.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals Jan. 21, 2013
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Jan. 22, 2013
Shared on Hun What's For Dinner Jan. 22, 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Jan. 24, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 25, 2013

Even More Extra Calcium

Back in January when I shared my Strawberry Yogurt Bites, they were a huge hit! One, because they are super simple. Two, because they taste insanely good and are highly addictive. And three, because so many moms out there discovered, like me, they were a fantastic way to get extra calcium into our kids!

And today I've got yet another way to sneak that calcium in and your kids will have absolutely no idea. Not to mention, if you thought the ones made with jello were easy...you "ain't" seen nothing yet!

The idea for these came to me via my Church Supper blog hop I host each weekend, where a couple weeks ago my great foodie friend Sheryl aka Lady Behind The Curtain shared her version and I instantly knew it was something Alex would love, and I would love to share with all of you. I know many of you never get the chance to drop by on Sundays, so these could be missed by many EMM fans, and it was too good of an idea not to make sure it reached as many people as possible.

A great after school snack, or simple dessert, these are fun to make and fun to eat. In fact, they are so simple, they are a great way to get the kids into the kitchen! With a little supervision, they could basically do the entire process themselves, which only leads to them wanting to eat them even more. Kids loving taste testing, but they love it more when they've gotten their hands dirty creating something. Plus, depending on the flavors you choose, the pretty pastel colors are perfect for Easter too.

I know many parents out there are struggling to get proper nutrients into their kids, and if you have resorted to covert operations, I say bravo! You gotta do what you gotta do. But with these, the guilt literally just melts away!

Frozen Greek Yogurt Bites Inspired by Lady Behind The Curtain

Assorted Flavors of Nonfat Greek Yogurt

Blueberry

Lemon

Black Cherry

Place yogurts in 3 separate plastic bags. (I added a few drops of yellow food coloring to the lemon to get a richer yellow color.) Snip corner of each bag off. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Squeeze out small buttons of yogurt. Place in freezer until solid. Remove from parchment and keep in airtight container in freezer.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Mar. 21, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Mar. 22, 2013
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Mar. 26, 2013

Sweet Treat For Your Sweetie

For all the men reading this who might not be paying attention to the calendar, you have 3 more days until Valentine's Day. There, I've done my civic duty and reminded you, so please don't be one of those husbands and boyfriends in the store on Thursday at 5pm wandering around trying to find the last box of chocolate and thumbing through the greeting cards that have all been picked over. Your wife or girlfriend doesn't want the generic "Happy Valentine's Day to a Great Person" Hallmark greeting!

This dessert is so easy, anyone can make it, even you guys out there racking your brains for something special to do for your sweetie. It's chocolate so the women in your life will be happy with that simple fact, and your evening will be off to a good start!

Or maybe you are a busy wife, and you still want something delicious for your hubby when he gets home from work. These work perfectly for that too! Or if you're like me and you have a little one and you want something fun and yummy for an after school treat. Or, you and the munchkin can make these together and surprise Daddy or Mommy when they get home! The possibilities are endless because they are easy enough for anyone to make~ man, woman or child!

I got this recipe the same day as my Strawberry Yogurt Bites, but with it being chocolate I saved it to share for this week for obvious reasons. However, speaking of those yummy yogurt bites, if you've got someone who can't have chocolate, those would be perfect come Thursday as well.

If you like Rocky Road ice cream, you're gonna love them. Plus, if you use the sugar free pudding mix, and the "lite" Cool Whip, they only have 130 calories each.

Whatever you have planned for Valentine's Day, include this simple dessert and you are well on your way to smiles, hugs and kisses!

Rocky Road Parfaits
1 (1.4 oz) package chocolate instant pudding
2 c. cold milk
1/2 c. Cool Whip, thawed
12 miniature marshmallows
2 TBS dry roasted peanuts, chopped

Combine milk and pudding mix in a medium bowl. Using a wire whisk, mix for 2 minutes. Remove 3/4 c. to another bowl. Combine that with Cool Whip. Mix well. Pour remaining pudding mix into 4 parfait or dessert cups. Top evenly with Cool Whip mixture. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Top each parfait with 3 marshmallows and even amounts of peanuts.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Shared on The Country Cook