ML Interest Tag: corn-syrup

Back-to-School Must-Haves That Keep Kids Recharged

by Tinybeans Team
Partner Content

The following is shared from one of our favorite moms, Amanda Carlisle of AFewShortcuts.com.

When back to school time rolls around the teachers always send out a long list of things that you need to buy. The typical list includes pencils, notebooks, erasers, etc. Those lists don’t always have everything practical. What about the must-haves that aren’t on the list the school sends home? Check out this list of back to school must-haves that keep kids recharged and focused this school year.

Cell Phone Battery Pack Charger

Sometimes our batteries are just drained... literally. There is nothing worse than being disconnected from the ones you love. Snag one of these handy Cell Phone Battery Pack Chargers to keep in your child's backpack. If they don't have access to an outlet they can keep their devices charged to re-connect quickly. This is perfect in case of an emergency.

Headphones

After listening to other kids on the school bus, or the teacher talking about Algebra for an hour, a mental recharge is just what the doctor ordered. Pick up a pair of headphones so your child can listen to their music, or even better, connect it to their computer for school work. Either way, a great pair of headphones is a back to school must.

Reusable Water Bottle

Have you ever watched kids drinking from a water fountain? ~blech~ Do your child a favor and get them a nice reusable water bottle to keep in their backpack to keep them hydrated during the day. A great way to recharge those water stores.

Fitness Tracker

Have you ever thought about how many hours your child is spending sitting behind a desk when school starts? Many schools are cutting back on recess and a fitness tracker is a great way to keep your child moving to reach a personal goal. Fitness trackers can be encouraging for anyone, but they are a great tool to help your child take charge of their health in the new school year.

Delicious Snacks

As moms we know that by the time the kids get home from school they are starving. Next time you are at the store snag some of these Jif® Power Ups™ granola bars or yummy Jif® Power Ups™ creamy clusters to toss in their backpack for a quick snack in between classes, or on that bus ride home.

Jif® Power Ups™ bars and clusters have absolutely no corn syrup and a balance of 5g of protein, 2g of fiber, good fats and most importantly, peanuts are #1 ingredient. Jif® Power Ups™ are a great way to recharge anytime hunger strikes.

Hopefully these items help to keep your kids recharged all school year. They have some great tools to help them learn and make some smart choices in the new school year.

What is one must have that your school didn’t put on the list? Share in the comments below.

 

These Back to School Must Haves that Keep Kids Recharged is sponsored by Jif® Power Ups™ All opinions are 100% my own.

Amanda Carlisle is a mom of 3 who loves to direct others on life’s happy adventures through food, crafts, and family fun on her blog AFewShortcuts.com

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Parent’s Summer Bucket List (vs. Kid’s edition)

by Leigh Weinberg
Partner Content

This post is shared from one of our favorite moms, Heather Reese, from Its A Lovely Life. You can read it on her blog here. 

You all know I love a good list. I make to-do lists, holiday lists (so I don’t forget anything specifically for those big days) and of course, a summer bucket list.

This year we have Alaska (checked off), St. Croix (checked off), rafting, horseback riding, stargazing, glamping, a cruise (checked off) and Europe on our lists. The kids all helped us pick these places and then I have spent hours, weeks, months and what feels like years planning all these trips and activities.

Pete and I REALLY thought we nailed it on our family summer bucket list. We thought we did such a great job that we were practically GLOATING to anyone that would listen. We thought the kids were BEYOND thrilled.

Then we took them one by one and asked them what would be at the top of their summer bucket list if they were creating it on their own.

You guys, my eyeballs nearly popped out as they were talking. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by what they said. They are all thrilled with what we have on our summer bucket list and can’t wait to do it all… but they also said that if they wrote out the list on their own, they would add the following to the top of it:

Maddie said that her list would have… you guessed it… SHOPPING at the top.

She kindly added that we didn’t even have to make any extra trips to make her contribution happen. She said she would be tickled pink to just tack it on to our other planned trips. I mean, shopping in London doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Or maybe block out some extra time in NYC for a new wardrobe? Ha! Teens!

This should come as absolutely NO surprise… but Ashley said she would be thrilled to add more fitness to our bucket list.

She actually said that maybe we should skip a couple smaller trips so that she can go to the gym more. I tell you, people, you offer your kids the world, and they are just as happy staying home. It kinda reminds me of when I used to buy her a cool gift that came in a big box and she wanted to play with the box more than the gift. I’m trying not to take this personally.

Emmy’s idea for the summer bucket list cracked me up.

She wanted to know if we could just do a challenge where we go to a place with trampolines every single day this summer. Now, I love a good trampoline park… but every day? No. Thank. You.

No matter what we end up doing this summer, if it is from the parent’s summer bucket list or the kiddos… one thing remains the same… we all need snacks to fuel these adventures. Just like how planning our summer bucket list can be hard when it comes to getting everyone to agree, the same can be said for the snacks we enjoy.

That’s okay. I’ve been doing this mom thing for long enough to always think ahead for snack time and I already know I have the snack of the year in my back pocket. Okay, not really in my back pocket, because that would be, well…not great, especially since I only wear dresses… but you get the picture.

Want to know what I’m so excited about? Jif® Power Ups™, a new line of chewy granola bars and creamy granola clusters!

Boom! Both products have absolutely no corn syrup and 5g of protein, 2g of fiber, good fats and most importantly, peanuts are #1 ingredient. WE LOVE PEANUTS so this is totally going to be a crowd pleaser, or at least in our case, a family pleaser! Jif® Power Ups™ snacks can definitely help fuel whatever is on your (or your kid’s) summer bucket list!

Want to see just how delicious these are? You can read more about Jif® Power Ups™ here.

 

Heather Delaney Reese is a Lifestyle and Family Travel Writer currently on the road with her family 150 days a year, sharing exceptional family memory making moments and life’s everyday fun times. Read more of Heather’s stories at Itsalovelylife.com.

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5 Simple Tips To Avoid the Hangries

by Leigh Weinberg
Partner Content

The following is shared from one of our favorite moms, Amanda Carlisle of AFewShortcuts.com.

We are always on the go during the Summer. The one thing that happens more often than I would like to admit is someone gets hangry. Here are my go-to tips to avoid the hangries and keep the entire family full of energy and happy while you are out having fun this summer.

1. Meal Plan

I feel like we think about food all of the time, but as a mom of three, it helps a ton to have a meal plan. Just a simple idea about what we are eating for each meal. A simple meal plan helps me stay prepared and fight off the hangries when it comes to the entire family. It is like your secret battle plan for winning this whole Mom thing. Knowing is half the battle. Have you seen a pack of hangry kids during the summer? NOT a pretty thing.

2. Wholesome Snacks

When meal and snack time roll around reach for a snack that will help you stay fuller longer and help fuel your day with the energy you need without the hangry crash. Some great options are Jif® Peanut Butter, nuts, hummus dip and veggies, yogurt, and these new Jif® Power Ups™, Jif’s new line of chewy granola bars and creamy granola clusters.

Both Jif® Power Ups™ Granola Bars & Jif® Power Ups™ Creamy Clusters have absolutely no corn syrup and a balance of 5g of protein, 2g of fiber, good fats and most importantly, peanuts are #1 ingredient. Jif® Power Ups™ are wholesome, balanced snacks that will help keep kids energized throughout the day. The best part is I don’t need to feel guilty if I steal a pack or two.

3. Pack Snacks

I look like I am moving out every time we leave the house. Can any other moms relate?

Pack Snacks!!!

Pack Snacks!!!

Pack Snacks!!!

It is so important to pack snacks and have some great options with you when you are leaving the house for the day. After a day out shopping, at the park, at the pool, or just exploring your town the hangries are bound to happen. Have you ever tried to buckle in a hangry toddler into a car seat? They really should come with an extra warning label for that.

When you pack a snack bag and fill it with great options like these Jif® Power Ups™ Chewy Granola Bars you can keep the hungry monsters at bay and happy until their next meal. Mix it up and have more than one flavor or choice, so your kids feel like they are in charge of their snack destiny.

Bonus! It also helps avoid those unexpected drive-through trips, or run into the convenience store for food. Those add up quick. So not only are you avoiding the hangries, you are saving money too. Look at you winning at life!

4. Hydrate

I know we are talking about being hangry and not about hydration but the two go hand and hand. Staying properly hydrated can help your metabolism work at its best. In turn, it helps you know when you are truly hungry. Keep a bottle of water (or two) around just in case. It is a great idea to stay super hydrated during the summer anyway. It is hot out there!

5. Educate Yourself

You may not always have a meal plan or remember to pack snacks, so educate yourself on the options that are available to you. Be aware of filling, healthy choices in your area or that your local stores offer.

While you may not be prepared with a snack bag, you can avoid the hangries by being educated about the choices that are around you and making the right decisions. It is effortless to run into a grocery store and grab a box of Jif® Power Ups™ Granola Bars and some fruit to avoid those hangries.

What are your tips for avoiding the hangries? Leave them in the comments below

 

Jif® Power Ups™ sponsored These 5 Simple Tips to Avoid the Hangries. I avoided the hangries while writing it by snacking on some Jif® Power Ups™ Creamy Clusters. All opinions are 100% my own.

 

Amanda Carlisle is a mom of 3 who loves to direct others on life’s happy adventures through food, crafts, and family fun on her blog AFewShortcuts.com

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Caramel Pear Mice

by FoodNetwork.com

Make this Halloween extra sweet by whipping up a batch of your very own caramels. Turn this cooking activity into a learning moment as you show your kids how to measure ingredients and read a thermometer. This recipe comes to us courtesy of FoodNetwork.com. Be sure to click over to FoodNetwork.com for more great recipe ideas.

Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: About 32 Pieces
Level: Intermediate

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
4 small ripe pears, such as Anjou or Forelle (about 2 pounds)
36 (6-inch) wooden skewers
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream, divided
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch salt
Black sesame seeds for eyes
Pink or yellow candy buttons, for decoration nose

Method:
1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Just before you make the caramel, core and cut pears into eight wedges, blunting the cut side so that it can lay on a flat surface peel side up. Place a skewer into each wedge, cover with paper towel, and set aside.

3. Combine sugars, corn syrup, butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, vanilla and nutmeg in a heavy sauce pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. When the mixture has come to a brisk boil, slowly add in the remaining cream, keep the mixture boiling. Be sure to wipe any extra sugar from the side of the pot. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot with the tip immersed. Boil the mixture briskly, stirring gently, until the mixture registers 240 degrees F on the candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat. Pour the caramel into a medium heat proof bowl using a rubber spatula so that you do not scrape the bottom of the pot. Let caramel rest until it thickens and cools slightly, about 3 minutes.

4. Blot excess moisture from the pears using the paper towels. Dip pears completely into caramel, swirling until it is fully coated, allow excess to drip off slightly. Place on prepared sheet pan. Decorate with black sesame seeds for eyes and candy button noses, while the caramel is still soft. Repeat until all the pears are dipped. Allow to cool until firm about 30 minutes. Serve.

Cook’s Note: As the caramel cools during dipping, it may stiffen and be too thick or slide off on the pear. Just reheat in microwave, checking at 20 second intervals until at the desired dipping consistency.

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown tenfold and is now the second largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 11.6 million readers.  

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12 Great Recipes to Make This Summer

by Erin Lem
Partner Content

You’ve beelined it to your local ice cream parlor on a hot summer day and regularly dish out yogurt at snack time. In fact, dairy may be your kids’ favorite food group. Luckily for you, Washington state produces some of the highest-quality dairy products around. All of the milk produced by Washington dairy farm families is rbST free and it all comes from happy cows. Red Tricycle Seattle writer, Helen recently visited a WA dairy farm and got inspired to take advantage of these high-quality dairy products in your own kitchen. Flip through the photo gallery to get cookin’.

DIY Frozen Banana Split

Banana splits are a classic summer staple. If you're feeling in the mood, check out this beloved dessert from cook, writer, photographer and mom, Shaina Olmanson. These delicious sweet treats, served in glass jars, make for a crafty DIY dessert and easy clean-up afterward. Perfect for laid-back summer fun!

Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
5 bananas, peeled, cut in chunks, and frozen
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in 100% juice, drained
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup chocolate sauce; recipe follows
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
8 maraschino cherries

Methods:
1. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and butter in a bowl. Divide the graham cracker mixture evenly among eight 8-ounce jars, and press the mixture into the bottoms of the jars.

2.  In a food processor, blend the frozen banana chunks until smooth. Scoop on top of the graham cracker mixture and level off. Add one ounce of crushed pineapple to the top of each jar and follow with the strawberries. Drizzle chocolate sauce over the strawberries. (Reserve any leftover chocolate sauce for another use.)

3. Beat the cream and the confectioners’ sugar in a medium-size bowl until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon the whipped cream over the chocolate sauce and top each jar with a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Sauce:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Pinch of salt
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Methods:
In a small saucepan, heat the cream, water, cocoa powder, sugar, corn syrup, and salt over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture just begins to boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Allow to cool slightly. The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator; reheat it slightly before pouring over your dessert.

recipe and photo courtesy of Shaina Olmanson's book Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine. Buy the book on amazon.com.

Shaina Olmanson is a cook, writer, and photographer and the mother of four young children. She writes the popular (50,000 visitors each month) blog, FoodforMyFamily.com. She also writes for two other blogs, Food Your Way and Simple Bites, and she is the editor of the food channel for LifetimeMoms.com. She lives in Minneapolis.  

What dairy product can your kids not get enough of? Which of the above recipes are you planning to make? Leave us a Comment below and “like” this story to share!

The Washington Dairy Products Commission celebrates the contribution of local dairy farm families. By producing wholesome and nutritious dairy products and caring for their cows and land, local dairy farm families are a key ingredient to making the northwest a great place to live. Learn more at www.akeyingredient.com.

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Just Opened: 4 New Eastside Food Stops to Try

by Kelley Gardiner

When the house heats up, cool off with a family trip for frozen yogurt or gelato made from locally-sourced ingredients. Or, if you’re not in the mood to cook, pick up vegan sushi or super-stacked sandwiches to munch on at home or the park. Whichever you choose, Portland has you covered with a four new hot spots that just opened on the east side of the river.

Photo courtesy of Eb & Bean

Lloyd District

Eb & Bean
Eb & Bean changes the froyo game with organic and locally-sourced ingredients — think granola and cookie crumbles made at nearby Bakeshop, local honey, dye-free sprinkles, and caramel made with Jacobsen’s sea salt. Instead of dishing your own and paying by weight, the staff will carefully craft a delicious concoction for you. This spot was inspired by a mama for kids (Eb and Bean are the owner’s sons), so expect no artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives or corn syrup. Non-dairy flavors rotate, but one is always available. Inside, there are colorful, kid-sized seating arrangements.

1425 NE Broadway
Portland, Or
503-281-6081
Online at: ebandbean.com

Photo by Kelley Gardiner

Hawthorne

Stan’wiches
Previously, this spot on upper Hawthorne was Bar Dobre, a Polish restaurant, but the owners decided it was time to change things up. Now it’s a casual joint with sammies, burgers, salads and sides. A little bit of that Polish flavor remains: Sandwiches come with a side of fresh potato salad and gardenia (aka pickled vegetables). Despite the chalkboard menu, it still feels like a bar that serves sandwiches rather than a sandwich shop that happens to have a cocktail menu. Even still, minors are welcome until 9 p.m., and yes, high chairs are available. For smaller appetites, try a side salad or the hummus and toasted bread.

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, Or
503-477-5266
Online: stanwiches.com

Photo by Kelley Gardiner

Belmont

SushiLove
Here are two words you don’t hear together very often: vegan sushi. Try the “bok bok” roll, a fishless homage to Pok Pok’s pungent fish sauce wings, courtesy of braised tofu. For kids with more simple tastes, try the one-ingredient rolls with carrot or avocado. If your food needs to be gluten-free, you’re in luck; this food cart steers clear of the stuff. The bright green shed is set in a fairly lonely cart pod, but more carts are expected to join this space in their near future. For now, take your sushi home or for a picnic in nearby Laurelhurst Park.

2623 SE Belmont St.
Portland, Or
Online: facebook.com/sushilovepdx

Photo by Atlas Scoops via Yelp

Sellwood

Atlas Scoops
If you’re in Sellwood on a warm day (or a cold day, for that matter) drop by this inviting cart for fresh gelato made with local ingredients. Enjoy your “adult” flavors like honey lavender or salted caramel while the kids can try trusty favorites, like mint chip or chocolate. A sweet grassy area with comfy chairs, umbrellas, and hula hoops is a friendly and comfortable spot to munch down those messy cones. Be sure to reserve a little time for the possibility of a long line. Even though it just opened, this place got popular fast.

8005 SE 13th Ave.
Portland, Or
Online: facebook.com/atlasscoopspdx

Have you tried any of these new food spots?  Let us know what you thought in the Comments below!

— Kelley Gardiner

 

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