Top 5 Snacks for Picky Eaters

Mamas, tell me, do you struggle with picky eaters too??

I don't know what it is by my boys have each had a phase where they were the pickiest eater EVER!!

Hudson is really great about trying new things and even eating things he doesn't love (like brussel sprouts or broccoli) at dinner. But my little two- YIKES!!

Beau is all about eating with his eyes. If he doesn't like how something looks, odds are he isn't going to try it. He says before the plate hits the table, "What is that???" Bless.

Gabe used to be a great eater; probably our best. Now, he is very finnicky. He doesn't eat a lot of meat or veggies. Give the kid fruit, carbs, greek yogurt and cottage cheese and he'll give you his heart!

I can typically win at meal times and keep those pretty balanced but snacks are where it gets tricky. Kids (and adults) need snacks. We need calories throughout the day, these "small meals" to keep our metabolism going and so we don't experience a crash that makes us want to eat the entire pantry! #youfeelme 

The struggle is not letting those snacks be the packaged, sugar filled, processed kind that give us, and our kiddos, no nutritional  and leave their tummies feeling empty just minutes later, prompting another snack request. #thestruggle 

Today, I want to share my tried and true top favorite snack ideas that your kiddos, even the picky ones, will love AND that will be healthy for them!

{O N E} Ants On a Log

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This throwback has been around forever. BUT--you can totally switch it up so it feels new and fun every time! 

As fillers you can use peanut butter (because sometimes why mess with a good thing), other nut butters, cookie butter, cream cheese, hummus, guacamole, or refried beans. 

Toppings can be fresh or dried fruit, crackers, tortilla strips, bacon bits. It can be swapped out and reinvented lots of times over! 

{T W O}Pirate Ship Sails

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My boys love to play with their food. I hate it but at snack time, why not let their imaginations go a bit?? Especially if they are chowing down on some healthy choices! These little sails are simply thinly sliced cheese wrapped around deli turkey with a pretzel stick acting as the toothpick to hold it all together. This is another great little snack that you can try different cheeses and meats to keep the kids interested. And, because it's so simple to make, you can give your kids the ingredients and let them make their own! 

{T H R E E} Apple Nachos

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This looks indulgent (and totally is) but fruit, protein and little sweet make it a perfectly healthy snack. This is one I use as a treat or when friends are over because it's a definite crowd pleaser. It looks pretty plated and is quick to throw together. Use organic dark chocolate chips and you add antioxidant power! 

{F O U R} Energy Bites

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This snack takes a little more prep, only if you count measuring, pouring and mixing as a snack. What is nice is the batch makes quite a few so one little chore can be snacked on for days. Or maybe just day if you pop them as easily as we like to around here! ;)

What you're getting is a a sweet treat full of protein, healthy grains and healthy fats.

Recipe:
chocolate chips
toasted coconut
vanilla extract
peanut butter
old fashioned oats
honey (or agave nectar)
freshly ground flax seed
chia seeds (optional)

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

{F I V E} "Reese's" Peanut Butter Shake
Shakeology has been a favorite in our house for the last three years. My kids actually call it a milkshake. It is one of my favorite snacks to give before a soccer game or after a late practice on the way home. It is high in protein and offers super food nutrition. It can also be a great way to sneak in a serving of veggies with some raw spinach thrown in.

The boys' favorite recipe makes it is:

1 scoop chocolate or vegan chocolate shakeology
2 tsp peanut butter
1/2 banana
1 cup almond milk
1 cup ice.
Blend together and serve. 

You know it's good when you get a thumbs up! :)

Do you have any tried and true healthy snacks your picky eaters love?? I'd love to hear about them! If you want even more ideas, check out my Pinterest page. 

May Goals

I love a fresh month. Filling out my family's calendar, looking ahead. A month seems like such a long time but I am always amazed at how quickly a month flies by these days.

It's with that knowledge that at the beginning of each month, I set some goals. I know that if I don't set goals, the time will pass me by and I won't have accomplished quite what I set out to do.

They say that when you set goals. write them down, and visualize those goals becoming reality, that you attract that positive energy and outcome to yourself and are in fact more likely to succeed.  And who am I to argue with science?? ;)

{O N E} Finish the Ultimate Reset

I am over halfway through this program! In fact, I only have 8 days left! It seems like I should finish this program no problem then right?? WRONG! This program is so mental for me. I've gotten great results so far (down 9 pounds!) and it is because I know I've gotten great results and feel so great, that my mind likes to trick me. Saying things like, "Hey, why do you even need to continue?? You've done so great." "One little snack of ____ won't hurt."

No siree!!  I am not falling for that. I am going to finish strong! My plan after the reset wraps is to add back in proteins to my dinner at first and then to my lunch. I am going to keep my snacks strictly fruit and vegetables.  I am thinking of holding back on adding back dairy and any wheat.  I feel SO good without those products. I do love cheese and greek yogurt so I may phase dairy back in after a week or so, but only in small increments. I can't wait to share my final results with you all!

{T W O} 22 Minute Hard Corps

I am a planner. I like knowing what to expect. Which is exactly why I know what program I will be starting when the UR wraps.  I CAN NOT wait to get started on this program!!! Tony Horton is probably my favorite trainer and I don't what it is about his programs, but my body RESPONDS! I see muscles pop out, get leaner, get stronger, get faster! Who doesn't want those things!??!! 

In fact, I am hosting a fun accountability group centered around this program. If you want to join my May Accountability Group, you can check out details here. And because I am so excited, the first 5 people to commit to my group are going to receive a free gift and ONE lucky winner will be chosen for an extra gift--a $25 gift card to the store of their choice! 

Umm..helloo??? Getting healthy and free gifts!!? WIN-WIN!!

{T H R E E} Outdoor Play

I am PRAYING this new month means warm weather that will actually STICK around! We have had such nice weeks interrupted by dropping temps and lots of rain. My boys and I love to be outdoors so this month I want to intentionally make extra time for walks, trips to the park, wiffle ball in the back yard and bike rides. 

I know as their mom I am responsible for them loving to move and be active. I want them to always view activity as fun! 

{F O U R} 3 New Recipes

I am always looking for healthy recipes that my family will love. Since we are ending the Reset and my plan can be a bit more flexible, I will be testing out three new recipes that are *healthy, *fit in my 22 MHC eating plan, AND *are kid-friendly, kid-approved.  Stay tuned for what I find! 

What are your goals for this new month??

5 Myths About Raising Boys

Six years ago, Andrew and I decided that we were ready to add to our small family of two. Little did we know just a few months after making that decision that we would find out we were expecting, and then find out we would be having a baby BOY!

Five years of being a mom, all I know are boys. Three little boys in three years, I have definitely learned a lot. I don't know everything about motherhood but I do know quite a bit about raising little boys. And, having all boys, there are quite a few things you hear from time to time. Most good-natured, totally harmless. but not always correct.

Today I am sharing my top 5 myths about raising boys!

1. Boys are easier. 
I've heard this comment often. And in some regards, I understand it. I mean, are my boys less dramatic than a little girl. On most days, yes. And my boys are still young. We haven't hit the preteen and teenage years and I know all the chat around girl drama- with their moms, with their friends, over boys. And maybe as a mom of boys we won't have that drama. But raising boys definitely is not easier.

My boys are each different and unique.  They express their feelings in different ways. Every stage with each boy has been different. Hudson is my first. He is extremely bright. He processes ideas and has thoughts that can be beyond his years. He remembers events in extreme detail. He feels deeply and has a vast aversion to any injustice.

Our second is a typical second born. And in his light-hearted, creative, happy-go-lucky style, he can get his feelings hurt easily because he is such a lover and kind soul.

And sweet Gabe. He challenges us with tantrums followed by a sweet smile that manipulates us out of any kind of punishment.

Boys aren't easier. They are different than girls. But their intricacies are unique and layered and present challenges all their own. Whether raising boys or girls or a mix of both, parenting is hard.

2. I secretly want a daughter.

Any time Andrew and I are asked the question of if we want more kids, and we answer with a hesitant but enthusiastic, "Yeah, we think so," it never fails. "Are you trying for that girl??"

Does anyone really try for one sex or another? Yes. Of course. There are books and studies done as to what factors can play a role into that decision. 

But not us. I believe God knows exactly who he places in our family and it is no accident. His plans for us are better than any we could imagine for ourselves.  How do I know that?? Because I never would have imagined myself as a #boymom. In fact, I thought I would have two boys and two girls; stair-stepped, every other; each two years apart or a little less. 

I am a girly girl. I didn't play a single sport with a ball well. I love dance and imagined my own daughter's dance recitals. Braiding her hair. Sharing laughs over pedicures. Sharing shoes. Planning her wedding. These were deep rooted dreams in my heart.  

But being a boy mom?? Oh goodness, this is a dream I never knew to imagine for myself.  It is a gift so grand, being a mom to these three boys. If we have another and it's a girl, I am sure joy will fill my heart.  But if we have another boy, that joy will be no less. 

3. Boys will be boys.
What does this even mean??? I've never heard, "Girls will be girls."

I hate this comment because it's an excuse.  Boys will be boys is a statement that excuses behaviors and those behaviors are always the less desirable ones.

I want my boys to be boys. I want them to laugh loudly, explore, dig in the dirt, scrape their knees.
I also want them to be polite. To express their feelings. To feel free to follow their interests. To be kind and caring. To have a good head on their shoulders. To be leaders and not follow the crowd. To know that love isn't an emotion to turn on and off. To talk about others respectfully.

I don't think just because boys can be fast-acting, impulsive and loud means we have to expect less or excuse behaviors. I definitely won't.

4. Boys need to be tough.
This one is a biggie. It's not just comments people make but it's plastered everywhere we look. Movies, media, books.  Our boys favorite characters are the super heroes.  They hard hitting players in the hockey game.  The fastest outfielder in the game.

Boys are supposed to be tough. I struggle with this one the most personally, because I want to raise STRONG men.  What I have come to realize is strong is not synonymous with tough.

By the world's definition, boys aren't supposed to cry or get their feelings hurt easily. They are supposed to be rough and tumble. They are supposed to run off their energy playing sports or horsing around outdoors. We see our babes fall down and tell them to, "Get up! You're fine!"

I've said it. They often are fine! Totally fine and they just need to get back up and keep going to forget the sting. But they also need to be held sometimes; to know it's ok to cry. Their feelings need to be felt and we need to let them know it's ok. There are times to be tough and times when our emotions don't have to be held in and pushed down. Some of the strongest, most respected men I know are also men I've seen cry. Who are moved deeply and are secure and strong enough to be moved. I want my boys to be strong...in their convictions, in who they are, in their direction and morals. They can be tough but they don't have to be tough all the time!

5. Boys will grow up to leave you.
I'll never forget the first time someone told me that hateful saying.

"A son is a son til he takes a wife but a daughter is a daughter for life." OUCH! Did that sting or what! I resented that. So I rejected that.  If I believed that then I would never want my boys to marry. And if they did, then I would resent my future daughter-in-laws.  I didn't want that.

I certainly hope my boys grow up to find mates that compliment.  I hope my future daughters see me as another mother; as a person with some insight into the lives of the men I've known as boys since birth.  I hope they are an addition, a blessing to our family.

I absolutely understand that "a man will leave his father and mother.." (Gen 2:24) but I know my boys will never leave me.  They will be fulfilling a part of God's plan for their lives.  Our relationship may change. My role will surely change.  But I love to think of all I will gain as my boys grow and make their own families, not what I will lose.

Being a boy mom has been one of the greatest adventures of my life.  Every day is different.  It has been challenging, hard, exhausting, rewarding, joy-filled, and there is so much more to come. Do you agree fellow boy-moms? What are your top myths?